ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Faced with handling a large influx of furniture left by departing organizations due to base realignment and closure, the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Compliance Division orchestrated a dual donation/exchange of property to benefit a local charity.
As a result, the Chesapeake Health Education Program, a nonprofit corporation which provides transitional housing for homeless veterans, located on the grounds of the Veterans Affairs Hospital at Perry Point, received excess couches, tables, chairs and other furniture and appliances from the departing143d Ordnance Battalion. Items belonging to the unit were donated and items belonging to the garrison were hand-receipted and transfered from the Post Housing Office.
Vickie Venzen, DPW environmental protection specialist, said the donation and exchange help solve a growing problem being experienced by other Army installations facing BRAC-related issues.
“The 143rd is one of our largest tenants leaving and the Garrison DOL typically handles removing installation furniture, warehousing them or disposing of them,” Venzen said. “We’ve been looking at different avenues for our tenants and the garrison to use, excess furniture ending up in the landfills in accordance with the Net Zero Waste Program.”
She thanked Maj. Kenneth McCrory, transition officer, and Capt. Erin Arellano, assistant transition officer, for coordinating the donations and exchanges.
On July 19, CHEP representatives, veteran residents of CHEP houses and Soldiers of the 143rd Ordnance Battalion, worked together in loading the furniture and appliances at the Downer Hall
training facility, at Bldg. E4221, the former Company C 143d headquarters and at Bldg. E4215, the former Company B 143rd barracks.
CHEP CEO Gerard Kelly expressed his thanks to the battalion and to APG on behalf of the CHEP residents.
“The veterans who will use the furniture will certainly appreciate your generosity and especially your thoughtfulness in remembering those who have already served,” Kelly said, adding that all items would be utilized in the five transitional houses located at Perry Point.
Social Sharing