Non-profit organizations often work together to benefit the community. Recently, Precious Life Shelter Executive Director Theresa Murphy reached out to the West Orange County Republican Women Federated (WOC RWF) Caring for America Committee about excess toiletries at the shelter. Murphy, who is also WOC RWF’s Ways & Means Vice President, wanted to help homeless veterans at the Long Beach Veterans Affairs PIER (Partnership In Effective Recovery) Center. Located on the Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital grounds, the center is a peer-managed and peer-run mental health recovery drop-in center that helps veterans with their mental health issues. PIER sees 20-25 veterans a day and has about 500 service contacts a month – two-thirds of the veterans who come to PIER are homeless.
Caring for America Co-Chairs Marjean Clements, Patrica Eskenazi and Laurie Fulton delivered the items to PIER on a brisk March day. “The volunteers were grateful for the supplies and appreciated knowing that their challenges are important to West Orange County Republican Women Federated members,” said Fulton. “It’s a travesty that there are so many homeless veterans living on the streets throughout the United States.”
The Caring for America committee is planning events throughout 2021 to benefit active and retired military as well as other community members in need.
