Miss Farmington's Blizzard Buddies Coat Collection Program Kicks Off

Miss Farmington Elise Newcomer met Wednesday with representatives from American Legion Groves-Walker Post #346, Serra Toyota and the Michigan Veterans Foundation (MVF), Detroit chapter, to kick off her Blizzard Buddies clothing collection.

From now through Dec. 10, five drop-off locations in Farmington and Farmington Hills will accept new and gently used winter coats, boots, scarves and mittens for distribution to homeless veterans and needy families in the Joy-Southfield area of Detroit. , which operates a clinic and provides services in that neighborhood.

Tyrone Chatman, MVF's executive director, said his organization works with about 1,100 veterans annually, providing transitional housing, help with benefits, meals, clothing, whatever they need to achieve a stable life. He said some younger vets coming home from more recent conflicts are recovering from brain injuries, lost limbs and post-traumatic stress.

MVF is also helping about 35 "chronically homeless" veterans, who are coming out of a long-term hospital or prison stay and have no place to go, with employability and benefits assessments.

Chatman said efforts like Blizzard Buddies "are bringing some real cheer to those guys, many of whom are down-trodden. This says their service to our country is not forgotten, and we're just so grateful."

Blizzard Buddies drop-off points will be at:

25200 Grand River, Farmington

31775 Grand River, Farmington

35000 Grand River, Farmington

34740 Rhonswood, Farmington Hills

33336 Grand River, Farmington

In addition to clothing, the American Legion post is accepting cash donations that will be used to purchase shoes and boots for veterans, auxiliary chaplain Marian Belaire said. A fundraising spaghetti dinner is planned for Nov. 19, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; it's all you can eat for $8. For more information, call the post, 248-478-9174.