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StumbleProgram aims to spread holiday cheer to homeless veterans
Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 | 1:50 a.m.
Sun Archives
- Program granting wishes for Las Vegas homeless (12-19-2008)
Beyond the Sun
All U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Fieldes wants for Christmas is a medical alert bracelet to monitor his heart problems.
Fieldes said he had three heart attacks last year and needs the bracelet in case his health fails again.
Like Fieldes, many residents at the United States Veterans Initiative, 525 E. Bonanza Road, have filled out wish lists for the second annual Homeless Partners Wish List Program. This year the program is taking wishes from two other facilities: The Las Vegas Rescue Mission and The WestCare Community Involvement Center.
Organizer Sharon Anderson of the Greater Las Vegas Church of Christ’s chapter of HOPE Worldwide created the program in 2008 after she became inspired by a similar project in Vancouver, Canada. She said the Christmas wish list allows homeless residents to receive donated necessities.
“This is important because Nevada has one of the largest homeless populations,” Anderson said. “I have a roof over my head, but that could be me. Everyone is one paycheck away from being homeless.”
Anderson said 102 people have filled out wish lists that are viewable on the Homeless Partners Web site. Anyone can visit the site and make an anonymous donation, she said.
She said the Las Vegas Rescue Mission had 21 applicants this year.
Chris Odle, volunteer coordinator for the rescue mission, said applications were given to homeless residents who often visit the shelter for meals. He said some of the main items requested are socks, heavy coats and calling cards.
“Gifts will make these people happy because they feel like they’re forgotten,” Odle said. “It lets them know someone cares enough to meet their needs. There is no gift too small.”
He said the shelter is scheduled to hold a Christmas Eve party where Homeless Partners volunteers will deliver wrapped gifts to residents. Odle said residents are appreciative of any gift they receive.
The United States Veterans Initiative also is scheduled to host a party Dec. 23 for residents to open gifts and celebrate the holiday.
Fieldes said he hopes to write “thank you” letters to families who donate and pledge gifts.
“I love Christmas and I hope I can send something to someone else next year,” Fieldes said.
Pete Grabowski, a United States Veterans Initiative resident and National Guard veteran, said one of the best gifts anyone could receive is a job. He said times are rough but veterans are willing to work.
U.S. Army veteran Dale Roberts said he is interviewing for jobs and wished for a laptop. He said he’s a former machinery mechanic from San Diego and needs a laptop to check e-mail.
“It’s nice to have a wish every now and then,” Roberts said.
As site director of the United State Veterans Initiative, Shalimar Cabrera said she considers herself blessed to be a part of the program.
“People should serve them (veterans) like they served our country,” Cabrera said. “There are more than 4,300 homeless veterans in Nevada. We would like this project to grow.”
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The holidays are a particularly bleak time for the homeless. The Wish List Program is one bright star. Our veterans should not be forgotten.
As a person who has personally visited with these people who fought to give us the right to make comments, even the extemely cruel one from xcb, I feel much compassion.
Most of them are homeless due to issues resulting from the experiences they had while "Serving" our country, to keep us free.
I feel that anyone who does not have the most common quality of compassion and sympathy for those less fortunate, should have to walk a mile in their shoes.
This website, www.homelesspartners.com, is not only working with veterans, but others less fortunate than you and I. Remember, that any one of us is but one step away from homelessness and hunger. Many are children who have no choice and are on the street because their parents lost their home or job and now do not have even the basic needs filled.
I pray that all of us have love in our hearts for our fellow man, and if you don't, you have to be the most miserable, lonesome individual on earth.
This is a wonderful program. These Vets (which have served our country and defended our freedom) that are out on their luck for what ever reason are trying to turn their lives around. They are involved in good programs (which it appears other should check out) and with determination they will succeed. Homeless Partners has teamed up with US Vets to offer simple Christmas wishes to these individuals. They ask for simple things, a coat, socks, bus pass. Things that we take for granted. To see all the shelters click on this link.
http://apps.attainresponse.com/home/neuw...
Find it in your heart to make a donation. We did!
Yawn at compassion. This is nothing more than the universal law of cause and effect. If you spend your life spreading misery, you can expect to have it heaped upon you.
The idea that these uneducated heroin addicts fought for our "rights" is laughable. How did dropping napalm on the citizens of Vietnam establish a freedom of speech? How did their actions in Grenada save any of us from anything? It's duckspeak, pure and simple.
These people joined the military because they were too ill-educated to do anything else. They spent their lives supporting an institution that, by its very definition, spreads misery, torment, death and destruction - and now they're paying the piper.
Let them rot. Let them suffer. I owe them no thanks.
xcb
what a pathetic loser you are. So filled with hate. Yeah, karma is a bitch so watch your hate-filled back - the karma will get you.....
PS xcb:
You obviously are not an American citizen, especially a male. You would KNOW that all males are required to register with the Selective Service. FOr many, it was NOT a choice to join the military. During Vietnam - they HAD to go unless deferred and the deferrments did not last forever. When your draft number was up - you went like it or not.
Are you saying that it takes a mighty intellect to choose war, murder, chaos and destruction over imprisonment or Canada? Or that most Americans are too inescapably stupid and herd-animal-esque to consider that there might be an alternative to Government mandated insanity? I must be missing your point.
It takes at least some intellect to understand the value of hard work and personal safety risks taken by those willing. Maybe there are so many people running around having babies with little intention or thought about the labors of quality parenting, civilians too dumb to use a condom etc, that when these kids become teens, other things are put in place to help those kids, such as various Special Forces taking out drug cartels thereby limiting the amount of life-dampening drugs that are shipped in. I find it sad that after we return there is so much unappreciation. If you dont like this country and/or those willing to contribute to it, then please return to whichever rock you crawled out from. Granted, our "institution" isnt without flaws, but if its worse than that of your country of origin, then by all means make use of the return trip ticket. Most people with such negative attitudes only came here to exploit for themselves and not to contribute to any common good, so Uncle Sam didnt want YOU anyways. How dare you come here seeking personal opportunity far greater than most other countries, and then question the manner in which it is provided. And How Dare Us for ever allowing the floodgates of those like you to be lowered so much that now we can see things getting worse overall, not better. Those who were deadweight in their own homeland end up being deadweight here.