UNM College Democrats are sponsoring a clothing and canned food drive on Friday to help New Mexico veterans.
Melissa Trent, College Democrats vice president, said the group will put out three bins — one at Smith Plaza, one behind Hokona Hall, and one in the bottom floor of the SUB — as part of the National Day of Service on Sept. 11.
“We feel that Sept. 11 is a great chance to give back to veterans that have served our country and now are finding themselves on hard times,” she said. “We want to do what we can to help them out with everything they’ve done for us.”
The drive is co-sponsored by UNM-PIRG and the UNM Service Corps.
On Sept. 18, the clothes will be delivered to several veteran-serving shelters in Albuquerque.
UNM-PIRG member Alayna Bowman said the drive is geared toward homeless veterans.
“People coming back from the war that was a result from 9/11. … It’s hard for them to get back into their normal life after they get back from such hardship,” she said.
There are some 7,000 homeless veterans in New Mexico, said Garfield Lopez, a representative of the New Mexico Veteran Integration Center.
“It’s a sad situation that we’re seeing these young kids coming back … and not being taken care of,” he said.
Lopez said all of the veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq that he’s seen at NMVIC have had post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I’m starting to see all my younger veterans show up right now,” he said. “Just what have come through my doors, I’ve probably had about six guys. … Out of those six, six had it.”
Bowman said drives like this are important, especially as winter draws near.
“A lot of them come back and they don’t have their jobs anymore. Winter’s coming up … and they don’t have jobs,” she said. “They’re trying to get back on their feet again, so free clothes is usually the best way someone can contribute.”
College Democrats canned food and clothing drive
Sept. 11 – 18
Smith Plaza, Hokona Hall, SUB
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