The Kappa Theta (Zionsville) Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) is pleased to announce that the fourth annual Winter Warm-Up for Homeless Veterans was a tremendous, collecting over $7,000 worth of winter warm-wear and personal care items for homeless and at-risk veterans and almost $300 in cash contributions to benefit the VA Hospital Homeless Programs.
The collection, which ran from November 10 through December 16, utilized collection sites in Boone, Hendricks, and Marion County where members of the community donated more than 1,700 items such as hats, socks, gloves, and toiletries for homeless and at-risk men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
The donations were presented to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital where they will be distributed through homeless outreach and to homeless and at-risk veterans receiving care at the hospital.
This year the Wooden Key Hallmark stores in Carmel West (106th and Michigan) and Lebanon were added to the participating sites from previous years which include:
- In Zionsville: Akard True-Value Hardware, Wooden Key Hallmark, and the Hussey Mayfield Library
- In Indianapolis: Wooden Key Hallmark in Chapel Hill
- In Hendricks County: Wooden Key Hallmark stores in Brownsburg and Plainfield
- In Mooresville: Wooden Key Hallmark
- Additionally, members of American Legion Post #64 collected and contributed items.
- The Zionsville Lions club also collected items at a meeting.
The total value of items collected exceeds by more than $2,000 what was received by the project in 2011 and the cash collected is more than six times the amount collected in 2011.
From Event Coordinator: The community didn’t just go to the discount store and pick up some hats and toothpaste, they shopped like they were shopping for their own family and donated high-quality items for our heroes in need. Some of the donated items were even carefully hand-knit. Some donors have shared they purchase items throughout the year to benefit this program, which shows they are thinking of heroes in need all year long.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International is a leadership and service organization where members develop friendship, find their passion for community service, and continue on the path of lifelong learning. Through ESA, men and women of all ages, backgrounds and interests are united by the desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Though centered primarily around Veteran’s Day, activities for ESA’s Hope for Heroes program continue throughout the year. Individual members and chapters often partner with other veterans’ organizations, military support groups, and military hospitals to provide a variety of materials for families, returning soldiers, and wounded warriors. All of ESA’s efforts are intended to assist in meeting the needs of the individual recipients, but also to lift their spirits and feel the gratitude that ESA members feel for their service.
The Kappa Theta Chapter of ESA was founded in September 2008 and is comprised of members whose ages span 5 decades. Our chapter strives to partner with other community organizations and invite the general community to support the various projects and causes we support.