“We carry on with what we know we do best,” explained Post Commander Barry VanEngelen of VFW Post 7310 in Grosse Ile Township, Michigan.
What they do best is serve veterans and the community—and that hasn’t stopped with the COVID-19 crisis.
Post 7310 helped facilitate Stock Up for Seniors Day with the Community Recreation Department to collect high demand items like hand sanitizer and canned goods to distribute to seniors and veterans in care packages.
Stock Up for Seniors Day helped community members stay home and avoid the risk of going out to a store but still get the supplies they need.
“Our Post and the Township often support each other. We volunteered to assist by offering the Post building and parking area as an ideal drop off location,” said Quartermaster Gary Latendresse.
The Post is in the main downtown business area of the Township, so it provided a convenient location for collecting items as well as good visibility for signage advertising the event. Latendresse and Van Engel made the first two donations, encouraging others to follow their lead.
The Township had to suspend transportation services and shopping assistance due to coronavirus concerns. The Post stepping in to host the collection drive was a huge help to people in the area.
“Stock Up for Seniors Day was a great event helping our seniors on the Island with basics such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies and paper products that were hard to find once the pandemic hit,” said Recreation Director Kim O’Farrell.
“It was a big success. Enough supplies were gathered to give our seniors what they needed during this difficult time.”