JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A veteran support group is collecting essential items to help families impacted by the government shutdown and its first distribution is Friday at Mayport Naval Station.
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Julie Kay, the Director of National Security of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida, started the “Help A Hero” program to collect food, diapers, and money for families in need. Her home post is in Ponte Vedra.
“I actually had a Blue Star wife reach out to me and told me about the need that they had and the concern of some of these younger enlisted families with the government shutdown and not being paid,” Kay said.
The first distribution of items begins on Friday at Mayport Naval Station and other organizations are coming together to help out.
“Really, the food and diapers and formula and I’m in the process of creating Amazon wish lists. We’re in the very beginning stages. We’re working with the bases individually and their family readiness coordinators to let us know who those families are that need that help. Nease High School their JROTC program is currently collecting supplies,” Kay said.
Michael Donato, the Senior Instructor at Nease High School’s JROTC program, said the kids have been very supportive.
“Most of them have reached out to their parents, which we have tremendous parent support within the program,” Donato said. “And the parents went out, bought supplies and they’ve brought ‘em in and we’ve collected a good amount of perishable items as well as baby supplies to give to the sailors.”
You can deliver supplies directly to the Drop Units located near military bases.
Donations for Naval Air Station Jacksonville can be dropped off at American Legion Post #137 located at 5443 San Juan Avenue, Jacksonville, FL
Donations for Naval Station Mayport can be dropped off at American Legion Post #233 located at 560 N Wilderness Trail, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Checks for monetary donations should be made payable to ALA Dept. of FL. Indicate HELP A HERO in the memo line of the check and mail to 1912-A Lee Road, Orlando, Florida, 32810.
Monetary donations will be used to buy food items or commissary gift cards.
Anyone with questions or who knows someone in need can reach out to Julie Kay at nationalsecurity@alafl.org.
Click here for information about the American Legion Auxiliary.