By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Members of the Henry B. Pratt Jr. American Legion Post 15 and Auxiliary in Caribou recently donated bags filled with personal care items to the Veterans’ Clinic located on the Cary Medical Center campus for veterans who are without a permanent home.
“We see a lot of veterans living from couch to couch,” said Gary Michaud, RN, the clinic’s nurse manager. “And sometimes they have burned all their bridges and are truly homeless.”
The Legion and Auxiliary members used money raised from food sold at a dart tournament and a 50/50 raffle to fill over 10 bags full of personal necessities such as toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, soap, lotion, gloves and socks, among other things. The clinic will distribute the items on an as-needed basis.
“We expect to distribute the items over the next year or two,” Michaud estimated.
The clinic staff extended their gratitude to the Legion and Auxiliary members for their efforts.
“This is not the first time they have come through for us,” Michaud said. “We certainly appreciate the help.”
The American Legion is the largest veterans service organization. Membership in the Legion is contingent upon having served on federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces during any of the war eras from World War I to the current Gulf War, having been honorably discharged or still serving. Dues are $25 per year.
Members of the Auxiliary must be a veteran or veteran’s spouse, sister, daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, mother or grandmother. Step relations are also eligible. The veteran must be a member of the post or deceased, and dues are $20 per year.
Post 15 will accept monetary donations or gift cards to places like Subway, Tim Hortons and food-only cards at Shop’n Save for veterans. Donations can be left with a Legion or Auxiliary member or mailed to the Henry B. Pratt Jr. American Legion Post 15, PO Box 5, Caribou, ME 04736.
For membership information to the Legion or Auxiliary, call 492-6931 and leave a message.
To seek help for a homeless veteran, call 800-273-8255, option 1.
