Warmth is one of the most basic human needs, and to help address that need, Selbyville residents are continuing their 2017 Coats & Sweats for Vets campaign.
People may donate adult-sized coats, sweatshirts and sweatpants in good condition until Friday, Dec. 29. The collection box is at Selbyville Town Hall, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Items will be delivered to the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans in Wilmington, to be distributed to veterans throughout the state.
“I had no idea when we started the project that it would be so successful and that we’d still be doing it this long,” said organizer Dawn LeKites of the GFWC Selbyville Community Club.
Collecting at least 150 items every year, she estimates that they’ve collected more than 900 items since 2012.
“The Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans was founded on the belief that veterans’ needs are of the utmost importance,” the website states.
Their goal is to create self-sufficient veterans, though affordable housing, reintegration into the workforce, engagement with the VA Medical Center and other support services.
“The Selbyville community group are the best, and they have been very good to us and veterans in Delaware,” said DCHV founder David Mosley. “[They] blessed us with the ability to help other veterans with warm coats when it matters most,” which he said helped DCHV become better recognized in the community as well.
People can learn more about the center by calling (302) 691-7411 or online at http://dchv.org. Donations toward the group’s housing center can also be made at www.crowdrise.com/dchv.