NATICK, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2015) -- Growing up in Batavia, New York, Sarah Ross, a human research volunteer program coordinator with the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, didn't know anything about veteran homelessness.
Even after enlisting in the Army as a healthcare specialist in 2006, Ross couldn't imagine that after our heroes had served their country, they could possibly end up with nothing.
It wasn't until Ross moved to Boston and saw veteran homelessness firsthand that she realized there was a huge problem.
"I was with my mother, and she was so confused as to why there would be a homeless veteran," said Ross, "and as I tried explaining it to her, I found myself just as confused."
At that point, Ross started volunteering at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans while she was still a Soldier.
After leaving the Army in 2009, Ross transitioned into a position as a civilian working with Soldiers at the Doriot Climatic Chambers. One day in 2013, she remembered back to that day she saw the homeless veteran and, it just clicked for her.
Since that time, twice a year, Ross has organized a clothing drive for homeless veterans and their families. The drive brings in much needed items such as heavy coats, socks and gloves for the winter, and T-shirts and other clothing items for the warmer months.
Along with clothing items, Ross said she accepts hygiene products, diapers, babe wipes and children's clothing.
Ross said she is humbled and proud to be a part of the Natick Soldier Systems Center community.
"Their outpouring of support doesn't show in the words they say but, instead, with their actions," said Ross. "They don't have to go out and buy items (or) clean out their closets, but they do."
Ross also said a number of employees also ask her throughout the year about upcoming clothing drives.
"People actually keep their bagged items for months in anticipation for the time the clothing drive rolls around," said Ross.
Ross said she is most impressed with help she has received from the human research volunteers.
"Our HRVs have stepped up and have taken it upon themselves to help me empty the bins, collect the items (and) help me weigh the items," said Ross. "They come to me every morning asking when they can help."
Veteran homelessness has continued to decline each year since 2010, but there continues to be a long way to go. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, estimated that there were nearly 50,000 homeless veterans on any given night in January of that year. That number is down nearly 14 percent from 2013.
Ross said that one day she hopes that veteran homelessness will be an issue of the past.
"Sometimes, it just takes someone to present them with a way to be able to (help), and that is what the clothing drive is," said Ross. "All I do is put out the containers."
Ross said the selflessness of her colleagues who choose to support the effort in ending veteran homelessness is what makes the drives successful.
The November clothing drive brought in 2,785 pounds of clothes and personal hygiene items, the largest amount a clothing drive has garnered here at NSSC.
The next drive is currently scheduled for April 2016.
If you would like to learn more information about veteran homelessness and what you can do to help, please visit www.veteransinc.org.
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