The 4th annual Stand Up for Stand Downtoiletry drive for Georgia’s homeless Veterans, sponsored by the metro area Pilot International Clubs and Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS), affiliated with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, will take place July 4 through Sept. 11, 2015. The drive collects much-needed toiletry and personal care items to fill “comfort bags” for Veterans who attend the Atlanta VA Medical Center’s annual “Stand Down” event in October.
“Georgia Cancer Specialists, affiliated with Northside Hospital is pleased to have partnered with metro Atlanta Pilot International Clubs again this year for the Stand Up for Stand Downproject benefitting those military veterans who served their country and may now find themselves in a difficult circumstance” said Dr. Al Soltan, president, Georgia Cancer Specialists. “Giving the staff at our 27 clinics throughout Georgia an opportunity to support this initiative, by bringing their generous toiletry donations to the work with them, shows not only our support for these veterans, but to the community outreach organizations serving this need. We feel this is an initiative that supports the mission of both organizations to Care More by Doing More.
The 2014 campaign was an overwhelming success, providing 850 individual “comfort bags” and more than 1-1/2 tons of additional toiletry items donated to the Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in Decatur, GA.
The Stand Up for Stand Down toiletry drive was started in 2012 by Georgia District Pilot International Clubs. GCS became involved in 2013. Travel/sample-size toiletry and personal care items are collected including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, combs/brushes, body wash/soap, shampoo and conditioner, lotion and feminine products.
“Stand Down” is a military term that refers to the time when troops are brought back from the battlefield for rest and recuperation. The Atlanta VA Stand Down event provides health and other services to help homeless Veterans get back on their feet.
“The assistance from our community volunteers, such as the Georgia Cancer Specialists and the Northside Hospital volunteers, is invaluable to the success of our Stand Down,” said April Edwards, LCSW, clinical director, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program. “The donated items such as hygiene packets, clothing and food provide our veterans with basic necessities that many take for granted.”
“The dignity, concern and respect shown by the community show our veterans that they have not been forgotten,” Edwards added. “The Atlanta VA’s Healthcare for Homeless Veterans salutes all of those who served those who served our country.”
For the 3rd year in a row, GCS will receive media support for this project through WSB-TV’s Family 2 Family Project, the longest-running locally produced, comprehensive, public service effort in Georgia.
Donations can be dropped off at any GCS location in Georgia. To find a clinic nearest you, just click on our “Locations” link.
For more information about the Stand Up for Stand Down drive, contact 770-864-5347 or visit www.facebook.com/SU4SD.
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