Veterans Aid has always provided new kit to ex-servicemen and women who need it – not just at Christmas, but whenever and wherever they need it. We’re launching this year’s fund on Giving Tuesday and it will stay open until the New Year.
Some of the men and women who arrive at the charity have nothing more than the clothes they stand up in – none of the personal items that keep them warm, cheer them up, give them pleasure or make them feel just like everybody else.
Everyone who has served knows how important it is to have something exclusively theirs . . . an alarm clock, a pair of gloves, a favourite pen, some hoarded chocolate. Veterans are no different which is why at VA thoughtful giving is second nature.
* Everyone who arrives at our East London hostel is given new clothing, toiletries and footwear. Each bedroom is equipped with new towels and fresh bed linen. Every Christmas residents receive a gift and a festive dinner.
*Each man or woman whom we help to ‘move on’ to independent accommodation is given the items that make a house a ‘home’.
* Each veteran we send on a course, to an interview or to start a new job is provided with the tools necessary to ‘fit in’. (e.g. A new suit, drawing equipment, paints…)
We ask for money rather than donated items for two reasons:
Our clients come in all shapes and sizes!
Sometimes being able to CHOOSE rather than accept what is handed out by a charity, is the first step towards restoring an individual’s self respect.
NEXT STEPS
Taking part? Fantastic! Will you go a step further and invite other people to take part too? We’ve created the following to copy and paste into your Twitter or Facebook messages:
For #GivingTuesday I’m taking part in #VAFestiveKit and making a donation to #VeteransAid Join me and see what a difference you can make (VA’s URL: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/donatesteps.aspx?beneficiarycampaignid=4221).
This #GivingTuesday I’m taking part in #VAFestiveKit and making a donation to #VeteransAid (VA’s URL: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/donatesteps.aspx?beneficiarycampaignid=4221).
