Write a commentMembers of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) and Half-Shire Historical Society have teamed up this fall to collect items for patients at the Syracuse VA Medical Center.
Donations are being collected at the Half-Shire Historical Society, 1100 County Route 48, Richland until Saturday, Nov. 16.
Lorraine Gregory, Regent of the Ontario DAR Chapter, said that every fall, for the past several years, members have collected items and donated them to the Syracuse VA. Gregory said donations will be accepted until Nov. 16, when chapter member Donna Bottorf will collect them and take them to the VA in Syracuse.
“Community service, especially support to our veterans, is very important to DAR members in Oswego County,” said Gregory. “Our members donate a variety of items to enhance patient care and improve quality of life for our veterans served by the Syracuse VA. The Half-Shire Historical Society has again generously made space available for us to collect donations.”
“We absolutely support our veterans and the efforts of DAR and others who help ease the situation of patients in the Syracuse VA,” said Half-Shire President Shawn Doyle. “The Central New York area Sons of American Revolution will also be donating items for VA patients.” Doyle is a long-time member of the Syracuse -area SAR chapter.
The VA suggests a variety of items for patients and recreation therapy activities at its Syracuse Medical Center.
Patient wish-lists include nail clipper kits, body wash, unscented lotion, Q-tips, underwear, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, sweatpants and sweatshirts (sizes small to 2XL), canvas shoes and slip-on sneakers (sizes 8 through 12), t-shirts (sizes medium to 3XL), batteries, jackets and zip-up hoodies (sizes medium to XL), and pallets of bottled water. Used clothing is not accepted.
Several items are also suggested for recreation therapy: poster art, dvds (clean and in proper case), arts and crafts materials, models to build and paint, model paint and glue, tile and mosaic ceramics, sun catchers, paint-by-number kits, snacks, herbal teas, sugar packets, powdered creamers, combs, crossword puzzle and word-search books, leather crafts, wood crafts, composition books, adult coloring books, colored markers and colored pencils.
The National Society of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) traces its roots to supporters of the American Revolutionary War, and any woman over 18 years of age with this revolutionary lineage is welcome to join. Members engage in various community activities including volunteer service, historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
For information about local DAR activities contact Ontario Chapter Regent Lorraine Gregory at OntarioChapterDARregent@gmail.com.
