Asked by a social worker what he would choose if he could have just one thing, the homeless young man answered, “A key.” Surprised by the reply, the social worker asked him why. His reply, “If I had a key in my pocket, that would mean I have a home.”

For several years, our parish has played a role in getting previously homeless veterans established in permanent housing. In coordination with Housing Counseling Services, the referring agency, and the veterans’ case managers who work with the vets to secure housing and a support system, we provide “Welcome Home Kits” that consist of the following:

• Bedding for all sizes of beds – 8/10-piece comforter sets, an dset of sheets, mattress pads
• Bath towels – 2 each of each size (bath, hand and face cloth)
• Kitchen ware – service for 4 sets of dishes, flatware, glassware, pots and pans, 30 piece sets of plastic food storage, and other necessities for preparing meals
• Cleaning supplies – household, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and paper products
• Personal care needs – body wash, shampoo, lotion, shaving items, items for dental care and care of their hair, as well as needed paper products
• First aid kits

On occasion, but with increasing frequency, we have provided some furnishings, especially beds and mattresses, assistance with utilities and rental bills as well as food in the form of gift cards to local grocery stores. As you can appreciate, this is a time intensive project that involves acquiring, and assembling the more than 100 items that are included. While others have helped from time to time, Judy Hennig, a former M.A.S.H. nurse and highly active SJB volunteer, manages, inventories, and assembles the kits. I can tell when Judy has been in “our” office because of the order and labeling of all the donations.

Many veterans would be in apartments or rooms with nothing if this resource did not exist. When some of the veterans pick up their supplies, they are shocked at what they receive, the quality and quantity of the items. Many tells us that their faith is reaffirmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of our parishioners.

July to December 2019, we provided the Welcome Home Kits to twenty-four (24) veterans…men, women and sometimes their young children. In January and February 2020 we helped twelve veterans and families with these kits. In addition to parishioner donations of some supplies, monetary donations to the Community Fund has provided more than $7,500 to support this program.

Thank you, Judy, for your tireless work on behalf of our veterans. Thank you, SJB parishioners, for your generous donations and commitment to helping those who put their lives on the line for our freedom.