North Bend Oregon Homeless Vets Need Coats

Veterans helping veterans stay warm during cold days
By Azenith Smith

NORTH BEND - Local veteran groups are working together to help other area veterans, who may be down on their luck, keep warm during these chilly, end of winter days.From now until the end of February, organizations like the Southern Oregon Veterans Outreach or SOVO are collecting used warm jackets to give to veterans in need at the VA Clinic in Roseburg that serves veterans in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties.

Coos Bay resident Jeanne Rugh, who's husband is a veteran, started the drive after learning that the clinic had many requests for them.

"Because it's been such a cold winter, the coats have been depleted," says Rugh. "That's why they need more. We are supposed to get another cold spell here."She adds, statistics show veterans make up one in four homeless people nationwide. Often times, they don't ask for help, but can always use a giving hand.

"These men and women put their life on the line for us so the least we can do is to help them where they need help," says Rugh. "If it weren't for all these veterans, where would we be? This wouldn't be America."Jackets can be dropped off at the SOVO office in Pony Village Mall as well as the Eagles Club and Driftwood Barber Shop in Coos Bay.

The plan is to deliver the jackets in March. Their goal is to collect 100 and so far, they've received about 60 jackets.

For more information or to help, call (541) 269-7922.

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