Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. and Home Instead collected nearly 3,000 pieces of clothing for local veterans through their annual Christmas in July donation drive.
The donated items, including socks, T-shirts and underwear, will be distributed through the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center. The organizations have partnered on the drive for the past four years, building on Home Instead’s Be a Santa to a Senior program, according to a Battle Ground Senior Citizens press release.
A spokesperson for the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center said the donations help meet an ongoing need.
“We put a basket of socks in the lobby every day, and by the end of each day they are all gone,” the spokesperson said in the release. “We greatly appreciate these needed items.”
Battle Ground Senior Citizens President Sharon Wodtke credited community members and local businesses for helping make this year’s drive successful. Tammy Newbill of Savior Socks contributed 250 pairs of socks through a relationship with Bombas, while board member Megan Anderson, owner of The Savvy Granddaughter, organized a donation contest.
“It is such a wonderful feeling to bring groups together to serve our veterans,” Wodtke said.
Home Instead owner Julie Williams thanked the Battle Ground community for its support.
“It brings me joy and peace knowing veterans will have warm feet in the winter with fresh, clean socks, and all year long for protection against the elements,” Williams said. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Battle Ground community and look forward to continuing to support our veterans in any way we can.”
Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. supports older adults in Battle Ground and surrounding communities, while Home Instead provides senior care services and community programs supporting seniors and families.
For more information, contact Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. at swodtke@comcast.net or Home Instead at julie.williams@homeinstead.com.
