This week I learned about homeless veterans. There are approximately 700 homeless veterans in our state. Not all of them are old. Some of the homeless vets have returned from the the gulf war and Iraq and Afganistan. In the St. Cloud area there are 80 to 100 homeless veterans. Seven of those homeless vets are female. The average age is 44. They stay at the Salvation Army, local churches, by the river and under bridges. Some people have trouble reintegrating into society after going to war. St. Cloud has a vet hospital so many veterans come there. But since they don't live in Benton or Stearns County, they don't qualify for assistance. Winter is coming. Steve Eisenrich is the contact person for the homeless veterans in the St. Cloud area. He has sleeping bags for everyone but needs: winter coats (large or extra large), gloves, stocking caps, insulated socks and money. He has enough womens clothing from the staff at the veterans hospital. If you are going to send money send it to Homeless Veterans, St. Cloud VA Medical Center, Building 28/Room 39, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303 Be sure to write "Homeless Veterans" in the memo portion on your check or the money will go into the hospital fund and the homeless veterans won't get any of it.
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