Gary Drumheller has been cutting my hair for the past 15 years. He is a Vietnam vet
and Veterans chairman for the state of Arizona for the Elks Lodge. Over the years we
have talked about Honor Flights (Gray has been a guide on 7 of those) and about a
number of organizations that serve veterans in need in the Phoenix area. With Veterans
Day coming up Nov 11 we thought you might appreciate a list of contact information
and ways you can help serve local veterans.
HONOR FLIGHTS
Honor Flights take WWII and Korean War veterans on a no-charge trip to Washington D.C.
with the flights provided by Southwest Airlines. Info at http://honorflightaz.org/ or call
them at (928) 377-1020
UMOM New Day Centers
UMOM has recently added new facilities for women and veterans at the Bob & Renee
Parsons Center at 3333 E Van Buren. They are the largest providers of services for homeless
in Phoenix. Find out more at http://umom.org/
US Vets
US Vets is a national organization with five facilities in Phoenix, including a large housing
facility at 3400 W. Grand Ave. They could use donations of clothing, furniture, and other
helpful items Info at https://www.usvetsinc.org/phoenix/
Drive By Blessings
"Our organization is committed to helping Veterans transitioning from homelessness, by providing them with furniture and family support. After 1 year in operation, Drive By Blessings fully furnished homes for 40 Veterans, utilizing over 270 volunteers, (many of them being children), and had a 100% success rate in preventing return homelessness. We've helped 5 Veterans obtain employment, placed 4 Veterans in housing, and have even seen depression and other emotional health symptoms our Veterans suffered from, be greatly relieved. Our work, while powerful and greatly needed, has been only been possible because of the generous support from our volunteers and donors. Our purpose and healing, has only been found, through our passion to serve those who served us first."
Find out how you can help at http://www.drivebyblessingsaz.org/
Cloud Break
Cloudbreak Communities operate a housing facility for veterans on Jones St east of 7th St
in South Phoenix. More at https://www.mapquest.com/us/arizona/cloudbreak-phoenix-iii-278799173
MANA House
MANA is an acronym for Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force. They are currently housing about
50 veterans at 8th St & Willetta in Central Phoenix, and they serve 3 meals a day so they could
definitely use food donations! Operated by Catholic Charities, they are "Veterans Helping
Veterans" Info at https://www.manahouseaz.org/
Motorized wheelchairs needed!
Gary and the Elks have set a special goal of finding motorized wheelchairs that are no longer
needed and can be donated to help veterans who need assistance. They will come and pick
up your unused "scooter" and deliver it where it is needed. You can call Gary at 623-875-8130
That's a few places to start! And of course every little bit of help you can offer is appreciated.
And to all our veterans we say "Thank you for your service"!
Here are some photos from recent Honor Flights taking WWII and Korean War veterans to
Washington D.C. to visit the memorials.
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