Two organizations that support those who have served our country are committed to making a difference.
Hav-a-Sis, a Lake Havasu City nonprofit that started as a resource for youth programs, has become known for its extensive generosity to local children. President and Director Connie Alexander said monetary donations through the organization supported the HAVEN Family Resource Center and the Parks and Recreation Department.
The group's latest meeting, held in December, highlighted another disadvantaged group. Given the number of homeless veterans in the city, Alexander's advisory committee ended up changing the group's mission. Alexander said there are currently an estimated 50 people in that category.
A discussion of the items requested by Patty Jacques, an outreach case manager for Catholic Charities PATH, energized Hav-a-Sis' new mission. The list included “critically needed items” to help homeless veterans. Items ranged from sleeping bags and tarps to beanies and gloves.
“With Patti Jack's guidance on the types of items needed, we purchased the entire list,” Alexander explained. “The only problem we faced was finding a space large enough to accommodate Amazon deliveries. That’s when Patty Mac Monagle from Perfection 2 Detail stepped up to bat and set up her facility to deliver. We offered it as a place.”
Items purchased included 40 sleeping bags, gloves, beanies, boxes of hand warmers, 40 tarps and 20 three-person tents, Alexander continued.
On Friday morning, members of Catholic Charities and Hav-a-Sis gathered at Perfection 2 Detail's offices on the island. Before the distribution took place, company owner Patty Mac Monagle greeted attendees.
Multiple boxes containing purchased essentials were stacked in the open enclosure of the office. Members of Catholic Charities expressed their gratitude for the generous donation and said the items will help homeless veterans.
“I think we all had about 25 cases each,” said Sheena Campos, veteran services case manager at Catholic Charities. She said: “Some of them don't want help.”
Chris Kincaid, an outreach caseworker for Catholic Charities of Veterans Services in Bullhead City, said he is persistent when talking to homeless veterans. As a veteran himself, Kincaid said common ground helps build connections.
Friday's donation was originally scheduled for December, but was delayed due to backorders, Alexander added. The total donation of goods received by Catholic Charities reached $5,000, she continued.
“We hope this helps people who really need it. This is a way to let them know we care about them and want to help them,” Alexander said. Told. “The inspiration and motivation that makes this all possible are our generous sponsors and donors. Hav-a-Sis would not be able to do this without the love and support of this amazing community. I could not do it.”
Alexander said a list will be provided on her organization's social media pages for community members interested in donating. She added that Perfection 2 Detail will continue to be her Hav-a-Sis drop site for donations.
