The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs invites you to take part in its 3rd annual competitive care package and holiday letter drive! Collected items will be donated to the Southpark Inn (Hartford, CT) and Homes for the Brave (Bridgeport, CT), two organizations dedicated to providing comprehensive services to homeless veterans and those in need.
Last year’s care package drive was a great success with over 5,400 items donated! We hope to make this year’s Veterans Care Package Drive an even bigger success and we need your help! We are encouraging student groups, academic departments, offices and residence halls across the UConn campus to form teams and compete to see which group can donate the most items from our recommended donation list.
This is a competition!! Gather a team of fellow faculty and staff members within your department and submit a team name and point of contact today! Inspire and motivate students to participate! There will be a surprise for the winning team! Help us show our service members and veterans how much the UConn community cares! You don’t need to be on a team to donate!
The VAMP office will receive donations from November 9th – 20th, but teams are encouraged to start collecting the recommended items now! Donations will be collected at the Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs in Arjona 342A.
In addition, a table in the Student Union “Union Street” on the 1st floor will receive donations and provide the supplies to write holiday cards from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Monday Nov 9th and Tuesday Nov 17th! Letters will can be written to our active duty service members or veterans at our state homeless shelters.
Recommended Donation Item Examples:
General Hygiene Items: Shampoo, Soap, Disposable Razors, Shaving Cream, Toothpaste and Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Body Lotion, Baby Powder, Hair Brushes and Combs, Hand Sanitizer, etc.
Household Supplies: Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies, Blankets and Sheets (twin size), Towels, Paper Goods, Napkins, Toilet Paper, Paper Plates, Cups, Coffee Filters, etc.
Non-Perishable Foods: Pastas, Soups, Canned Food, Mac N ‘Cheese, Coffee, Hard Candy, etc. (Non-expired)
Clothing: New (unopened or tags on) packages of winter socks, undergarments, sweatpants, t-shirts, winter hats, slippers, scarves, gloves, etc.
For more information, contact: Samuel Surowitz at Samuel.Surowitz@uconn.edu