11/07/2017
UPDATE NOVEMEMBER 6 2017
It's November 6th, 5 days away from Veterans Day, which means 5 days away from my birthday as well.
If I was able to make a wish when I blow out my candles it would be to have no more homeless veterans. If I can't have that one, I'd wish that I could alleviate some of the suffering for them during the winter months. For all of them, but I think about being a homeless veteran woman, in the winter.
Women have very particular needs and I'm going to be frank, so if you have a delicate constitution, scroll on by. It's not a pretty thought.
Every month a woman is faced with the challenge of having their period. Under the best circumstances you don't feel well. It's messy, it's unpleasant and for some it's down right painful and can make you feel ill. You have to be careful with your clothes, you feel like a lump. You have cramps. you feel like crap. But if it gets bad you can come home from work, put on your sweats and climb into bed with a heating pad. Or a glass of wine, or chocolate or all 3. If you are like me and you suffer with it, you have a husband that takes care of you, caters to you and tries to make you feel less like a dish rag. You also can just go into the bathroom to get the "equipment" you need. You can feel like crap in the comfort of your warm dry home in your warm dry jammies.... unless you are homeless.
Then you have to make sure you have room in your bag for your "equipment", that IS if you have it. You have to HOPE the shelter has what you need in good supply. And then there's the challenge of where you take care of those needs, never mind having a place to lay down if you don't feel well, you just want somewhere to change....and where exactly IS that when you are a homeless woman?
And IF you are a homeless VETERAN Woman you've put yourself on the line during this monthly challenge, but you had a place. You had the equipment and you had support. Not so much if you are homeless. Imagine that. Put yourself in their position, and I don't think anyone would wish that on anyone.
The Dollar Store has what they need. For a dollar. A nice, large pocket book could be their carry bag for their clothes, a change of underwear, the necessities,they may still struggle for the where but if they have a bag that looks nice and has what they need at least one struggle is made slightly easier.
You can help these brave women maintain as MUCH of their feminism (as in being a female), their dignity and integrity. It's easy to find the empathy for this beautiful, brave and challenged group. Please consider dropping off a large pretty purse, lip gloss, hand cream, chap stick, pads, tampons, packages of NEW underwear in various sizes, bras, warm socks, hair accessories, long johns, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, sweaters, warm clothes, coats....anything that you AS a woman, or the spouse of a woman needs every day, but also on those special days during the month.
UPDATE OCTOBER 30, 2017
It has been so cold and rainy the last week. I think the blessing of warm weather is not behind us and we will be wondering when the fist snow will fall.
If you haven't yet, please consider donating something warm for the homeless veterans both men and women in our community. Every time I get the urge to turn the heat up, I think about them and wonder how they are staying warm and dry.
As it's the 19th year I am running this drive I am hoping for getting close to the 19 sub zero sleeping bags for those veterans that cannot come in from the cold. Sub zero sleeping bags, thermos' (for hot coffee/soup), flashlights, batteries, hot hands are so vital to this special group. To date I've received 1.
I AM a 501C non profit, but don't still have my bank acct for it, so in lieu of monetary donations, please purchase a sleeping bag and have it sent to my house. Please message me for the address.
I would like to also take this time to remind everyone that I cannot accept OPEN and/or large shampoo's and conditioners, soaps etc, or hotel sizes that have been open. Please consider going to the $$ store and purchasing the travel packs of the personal hygiene items.
Also remember we have homeless veteran women that have special challenges being homeless and being a woman.
For more information, please message me. Thank you, Lauren
I will be trying to get some information of the specifics of the numbers of homeless women veterans shortly. THANK YOU
