For those who are interested in contributing towards the needs of the service members who are patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital this holiday season (or any time), a friend who is active in supporting our wounded troops sends the following suggestions, based on what they need and do not need:
* Please – No Holiday Cards. They are swamped.
* Body Lotion – full size and “non scented” for amputee’s prosthetics wear. They suggest “Eucerin” or ”St. Ives ”they run $3.50 to $7.00 at major drug stores, Target, WalMart, et al.
* Sling Back Packs – Patients can carry their hospital needs in them. Go to Google for Sling Back Packs. Black or dark required. Can find them for $25.00 on up.
Send any items to: Soldier Care, American Red Cross, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave NW, Room 3E05, Washington, DC, 20307.
Another patient-oriented program one could contribute to is the “Breakfast Fund” sponsored by the West Point Class of ‘49. This is a tax exempt fund set up several years ago to handle special needs of the WR care givers for their patients. It is used to provide a myriad of things quickly needed for PTSD and head wound patient as well as the amputees. Lately, it has underwritten monthly off-campus group luncheon/movie outings at Austin Grill, Red Lobster and the Mongolian Barbecue for groups of 12 to 20. Donations to this fund should be made out to the “WP Cl’49 Breakfast Fund” and sent to Paralyzed Veterans of America, Attn: Andy Krieger, 801 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006-3517. It is tax exempt and Andy will acknowledge receipt.