‘Valentines for Veterans’ collecting donations to show appreciation for local heroes

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) — During the season of love, SERVPRO of the Southtowns, Blue Star Mothers NY7 and local schools are all coming together to show their appreciation for our nation’s heroes right here at home.

“They gave so much for us when they were in the military, and now it’s our turn to give back to them and to let them know, they are not forgotten,” said Judi Kogler, the vice president and correspondent secretary of the Blue Star Mothers NY7.

Kogler has two sons in the military and is part of the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers, an organization that connects mothers who have children currently serving or who have served in the United States military.

“To me, any military person is now my kid,” said Kogler. “With everything that’s going on today’s world, that we need to remember those men and women that sacrificed past, present and future, and what they’re giving up for us to be able to have our freedom and to have our everyday enjoyments that they deserve to be recognized and to be given back to them.”

Blue Star Mothers collect donations and send care packages to active military personnel, but during Valentine’s Day. They also connect with SERVPRO of the Southtowns and local schools to create gift bags for veterans here in Western New York.

“We here in Western New York have very strong ties to the veteran community, we all have veterans in our families,” said Don Turner, a sales representative of SERVPRO of the Southtowns, who helped start the “Valentines for Veterans” drive. “For these young kids to be able to show that appreciation to understand that there are men and women who have and who are currently fighting to keep our country safe, to bring a little recognition to the struggles of the service members and veterans communities, it’s very heartwarming.”

The Valentines for Veterans drive is collecting a variety of donations to donate to local veterans through Wednesday, February 5th.

They are collecting donations of:

• Shampoo

• Body Wash/Soap

• Brushes

• Lotion

• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss

• Books and “word searches” decks of cards

• Socks

• Detergent and dish soap

• Paper towels and toilet paper

Hygiene and comfort products will be donated to hospitalized veterans at the Buffalo and Batavia VA Hospitals, New York State Veterans nursing home in Batavia, and Veterans One Stop Center. Cleaning supplies will be donated to Western New York Housing Coalition.

Donations can be dropped off at the SERVPRO of the Southtowns, located at 97 Evans St. in Hamburg, or at local participating schools, including Lakeshore, Frontier, Cheektowaga Sloan, Lewiston Porter, Spruce Elementary at North Tonawanda Schools, Roy B. Kelley Elementary & George Southard Elementary of Lockport City Schools, and Springville middle and elementary.

Blue Star Mothers NY7 is also asking for volunteers to come help put these gift bags together this upcoming Saturday at the Matthew Glab Post in Lackawanna. For more information visit their website here. For more information on SERVPRO of the Southtowns visit their website here.

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Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

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