In an effort to do good this Veterans day, a local business owner and former Army Ranger is bringing together local businesses to gather needed items for residents in the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
Through Nov. 10, West Michigan organizations will be gathering items of daily necessity to benefit the residents, and the items will then be delivered to the home to honor Veterans Day.
“It’s difficult to return to civilian life after war, particularly if you return with a disability,” said Jon Tellier, president and founder of JetCo Solutions, a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger who served during Operation Desert Storm and also in Germany and Italy.
“This wish list drive allows the community to come together and provide necessities to (over) 500 veterans that will otherwise go without,” he said.
Items to be donated for the drive include body wash, disposable razors, alcohol-free mouthwash, toothbrushes, k-cups for Keurig machines, large boxes of tissues, new men’s clothing items in sizes 3X up to 8X, and new women’s clothing items in sizes large up to 4X. Cash and gift cards are not being accepted as part of this drive.
Tiffany Carr, director of community relations for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, said the organization depends solely on donations to offer veterans a “stellar” quality of life.
“Without the generous support of our community partners and donors, we would have to radically decrease the vast and diverse opportunities veterans have each day to live a fulfilled life,” Carr said.
The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans was established in 1885 and provides a variety of services to enhance residents’ quality of life, including an in-house pharmacy, rehabilitation therapy, and recreational and educational activities.
Items can be dropped off at the following locations through Nov. 10:
8ThirtyFour Integrated Communications – 1430 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 170, Grand Rapids
AM Yoga – 555 4th St. NW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids
Array of Engineers – 2350 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Suite 1, Grand Rapids
C2AE – 648 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 210, Grand Rapids
Caledonia American Legion Memorial Post 305 – 9548 Cherry Valley SE, Caledonia
DK Security – 5160 Falcon View Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
DornerWorks – 3445 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids
JetCo Solutions – 525 Ottawa Ave NW, Lower Level, Grand Rapids
Marana Group – 3777 Sky King Blvd., Kalamazoo
Rehmann – 2330 East Paris Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
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