At the 4th annual Stand Up for Stand Down event hosted by the Atlanta VA Medical Center, hundreds of homeless veterans received the things they needed most. According to WSB-TV 2, Pilot International Clubs and Georgia Cancer Specialists, both affiliated with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, collected the care package items over the summer.
The community brought in things like deodorant, shampoo and toothbrushes. The items collected were then packaged, given to the VA and redistributed to the veterans at the event.
"I think it's an opportunity for them to know what services are out there for them to know that the community and the Atlanta VA cares about this problem and that we want to eradicate homelessness among veterans," April Edwards, clinical director for the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program, told WSB-TV 2.
In addition to toiletries, the homeless veterans were given medical treatment and haircuts on the Oct. 19 event. The veterans who received the services told the news source it was nice to be recognized and treated with respect. Many said they felt invisible, but it was good to know that people care about them.
The community hopes to repeat the event next year.