MOM'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK | Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans

Glancer Gives Back with The Gift of Giving through Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans

NAPERVILLE–The greatest gift that can be received is actually the gift of giving. In the spirit of camaraderie and community, my friends and I gathered to volunteer at Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, an organization dedicated to providing essential support to veterans in need. Our mission for the day was to take inventory of the warehouse items that play a crucial role in outreach efforts.

We arrived at the warehouse with enthusiasm and were greeted by Denny - who brought his smile and matched our zest for getting the job done! He shared the importance of the inventory process and provided a list of the items that required documentation - everything from clothing and household goods to linens and personal care items. I couldn’t help but notice the thousands of socks from Bombas! I had seen the Shark Tank episode where they vowed to donate one pair of socks for every pair purchased, and WOWZA did they donate a lot to Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans!

Armed with our lists, pens, and a sense of purpose, this ambitiously, organized, compassionate group of ladies set to work. We divided ourselves into teams, each focusing on different sections of the warehouse.

One group tackled the t-shirts, undergarments, and thousands of socks; another sorted through linens, towels, and paper products; yet another sorted through boxes of donated household items, such as plates, cups, and utensils; while the last pair meticulously counted bottle after box of hygiene products. Laughter, music, and friendly banter echoed through the rooms, transforming what could have been a tedious task into a joyful evening of teamwork.

Within a couple hours, we had made great progress and completed the task. As the evening drew to a close, we realized that although we came to help, we gained equally as much. It was a reminder of how important it is to give back to those who have given so much for our country.

Our night at the shelter was not just about inventory; it was about friendship, purpose, and making a positive impact. We left with a renewed sense of commitment to our community, eager to return.

OVERVIEW

Vision: To end veteran homelessness so that no person who has defended our homes goes without a home.

Values: Compassion, Dedication, Integrity, Responsibility, Welcoming, "Can-Do" Attitude, and Individualized Care

To empower at-risk veterans, and their families, to become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities.

Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans

433 S Carlton Ave, Wheaton

www.helpaveteran.org

(630) 871-8387

Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday

Price $: Free

ABOUT THE WRITER

Kristen Kucharski’s days are never dull, her kids are never bored! Over the years #MomsLittleBlackBook has explored hundreds of kid friendly things to do in our surrounding community and on the road. As her girls have grown and gone away to college, she continues to enjoy unique activities, excursions, day trips, weekend get-a-aways, and road trips while rediscovering my own passion for adventure with friends, girls nights outs, and date nights. In her words: “Life is a journey–might as well have fun along the way. Go, fly, roam, travel, voyage, explore, discover!”