We can be a part of doing something to help those that have served their country and are facing difficult times. Throughout the State of Oregon all the Veteran Outreach sites need supplies for our homeless Vets and those that need assistance to keep a roof over their heads.

Klamath Falls has dozens and dozens of homeless Vets living in the woods as they are not allowed to live on the streets in town. Bend reports that 70% of their homeless Vets are employed full time. There is a group of 6 Vets living in a homeless camp, they work all week for minimum wage and on the weekends they are building houses for Habitat for Humanity—the house they are currently working on is for a single Mom Veteran.

Taking care of our Veterans is something that we can all be involved with. It was distressing to talk with each agency and find that there aren’t enough needed items at any location. Each agency has hundreds of Veterans that they are trying to help. It is an overwhelming task.

Oregon has lost over 100 soldiers in combat in either Iraq or Afghanistan, and thousands more have been seriously injured and/or suffer from PTSD.  153 Oregon Veterans, of all ages and from various wars, have committed suicide. The motto of the Wounded Warrior Project is “The greatest casualty is being forgotten.” Continue here to find out how to help and where agencies are located near you (Bend, Eugene, Grants Pass, Portland, Salem, La Grande, Roseburg, Klamath Falls, North Coast)

How to help:
Take your donation to the Vet Center in your area
Get the word out: tell your friends and neighbors, speak to stores managers where you shop, talk to your church leadership and schools in your area.

Bend (serving Bend, Redmond and Sisters)
COVO
354 NE Greenwood Ave. Suite 113
Bend, Oregon 97701
M-F 8-4 541-647-5200
Food cards (Wal-Mart was suggested)

Eugene area:
Eugene Vet Center
1255 Pearl St. Suite 200
Eugene, Or 97402
M-F 8-4:30 541-465-6918
Food, Food cards, Phone cards

Grants Pass:
Grants Pass Vet Center
211 SE 10th St.
Grants Pass, Or 97601
M-F 8-4:30 541-479-6912
Socks, underwear, hard candy, skittles, gum, lip balm, phone cards, warm caps, hand sanitizer, flannel jackets and shirts, travel size toiletries

Klamath Falls area:
Klamath Falls CBOC
2819 Dahlia St.
Klamath Falls, Or 97850
M-F 8-5 541-273-6206
Tents, cots, travel size toiletries, coats, shirts or gift cards from Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer or K Mart

La Grande and surrounding area
Outreach is located in Walla Walla:
Jonathon M. Wainwright VA Medical Center
77 Wainwright Dr.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509-525-5200 or 888-687-8863
Please contact for items needed

North Coast CBOC
91400 Rilea,
Neacoxie St. Building 7315
Warrenton, Or 97146
503-861-9513 No further details at press time–call them for additional info

Ontario:
Ontario Oregon CBOC
20 SW 3rd
Ontario, Or 97914
208-422-1303
No further details as press time–call them for additional info

Portland:
Portland VA Medical Center
3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road
Voluntary Service Bldg. 101 Room 115
Portland, Or 97239
M-F 7:30-4 503-220-8262
Comfort items such as: travel size toiletries, razors and electric razors, crossword puzzle books, deck of cards, slipper socks, 5X7 fleece, crochet, or quilted lap robes

Roseburg (Serving additionally Brookings and Bandon):
VA Roseburg Healthcare System
913 NW Garden Valley Blvd.
Roseburg, Or 97470
M-F 8-4 541-440-1000
Women’s clothing, travel size toiletries, Books, magazines

Salem:
Salem Vet Center
617 Chemeketa St. NE Suite 100
Salem, Or 97301
M-F 8-4:30 503-362-9911
Bus Passes, phone cards, clothing (women especially)

VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation
8495 Crater Lake Hwy.
White City, Or 97503
M-F 8-4:30 541-826-2111
Comfort items, toiletries, used clothing, slipper socks, socks, underwear

Update: Salem is requesting Coats, socks, sleeping bags. The same would be true for the other locations.