A local group is helping keep homeless military veterans warm this frigid winter with donated outerwear.
“When they're in the army they have a team, they have people they can count on,” explains organizer Dave George with the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit in Kitchener. “When they come out of the army, who do they count on?”
The Help for Heroes coat drive was held Saturday, and collected everything from boots and coats to sleeping bags and mittens.
The goal: To fill a 5-ton truck with donated items for veterans living on the streets.
According to VETS Canada, a group that helps veterans with emergency services, it's a larger issue than many people think.
The organization estimates as many as 16 per cent of homeless people in metro Toronto have some military background, and many others are near homeless.
“Troops do what we call couch surfing,” explains Paul Cane, president of the CAV. “They’ll go from home to home to home, they’ll eventually wear their welcome out some place and go to the next place.”
That’s why organizers felt compelled to organize Saturday’s drive.
Proceeds will be distributed to local organizations like Out of the Cold.
“Maybe they’re too proud to ask for help because, I mean, they’re military trained. They are trained not to ask for help,” notes George.
