VFW Post 23 Homeless Veterans AC

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 23, Lebanon, PA
is hosting the 
6th Annual Homeless Veterans Awareness Campaign
in Lebanon, PA beginning
Friday, November 9, 2018 at 6:00 a.m. until
Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 12:00 noon.

Volunteers, including veterans from all branches of the armed forces,
family members, friends, supporters of veteran’s rights and local VFW members,
will temporarily become homeless for 30 hours to raise awareness and financial support
for homeless veterans and former service members in distress.  
Combat veterans who served in Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom
will be represented at the event.
 
Participants will have only the clothing on their back, a rucksack, a sleeping bag,
a bottle of water and a small ration of food.
They will rely on the kindness of strangers for meals, donations, and support.

2 campaign encampments in Lebanon, PA....
- Cumberland Street (US422 West) at 9th Street (at the corner parking lot), and
- Fisher Park (PA72) at the corner of South 9th and 10th Streets.




Statistics from the 2010 U.S. Inter-agency Council on the Homeless
indicate that veterans comprised 23% of the homeless population.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and lack of support from family and community
are the primary causes of homelessness among veterans.
In addition, veterans struggle to translate skills obtained during their military career to civilian life
and have difficulty obtaining employment.
Initiatives to raise awareness about the plight of veterans
have helped to reduce homelessness among veterans to 12% of the homeless population,
according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans currently.




Campaign organizers hope this event will further raise awareness and monetary donations for veterans in need. Donations will support the VFW District 18 Homeless Veterans Program servicing veterans in Lebanon, Dauphin and Cumberland Counties and other local charities.




The Fisher’s Veterans Park donation point will be located on the west side of 9th Street (Route 72 North) and the east side of 10th Street (Route 72 South) closest to the rail trail crossing.
The downtown Lebanon donation point will be located on the south side of Cumberland Street (Route 422 North) in front of the Farmer’s Market sign.
Donations for this campaign will be accepted at each location during daylight hours.

Monetary donations can also be mailed to
VFW Post 23   Attn HVAC
718 Chestnut Street
Lebanon, PA 17042




VFW Post 23 and the campaign volunteers
thank you for your generosity.