Bedding Donations Sought for Veterans Haven North, Which Houses the Homeless

When the state opened up a facility for homeless veterans at the former Hagedorn psychiatric hospital in Lebanon Township. the budget didn't include much money for bedding.The shortage of such a basic necessity at Veterans Haven North spurred a group of Hunterdon residents, including veterans, to start a collection drive.

Already Flemington resident Kevin Cahalan has delivered a car load of donated bedding to the facility, which opened July 1. He's got enough gathered to fill a second car, and the collection efforts and donations are increasing.An event will be held Tuesday night, Sept.

25 at Chilis restaurant in Flemington benefiting the drive.Veterans Haven staff said the state budget is so shabby that if the local veterans groups can help them, they can use state money for bigger things, Cahalan explained Tuesday.Representatives of several veterans organizations attended an open house at Veterans Haven, which opened in July, and learned that the shelter was in desperate need of bedding items for the facility, which according to the state may eventually house as many as 50 veterans.

Cahalan, a member of multiple organizations, learned of this and asked what was being done. At that time, nothing official had been done by any of the veterans groups, so he asked if he could organize something.Cahalan started a page on Facebook to try to use that social network to raise awareness of the problem and solicit donations.

The page, Help For Homeless Veterans 12, lists the items needed by VHN and tells where they may be dropped off.The main things we need are twin sheet sets, extra long; pillows and pillow cases, and comforters. People have inquired about financial donations.

Cahalan said they should be made directly to Veterans Haven North, but please mention our page.The drop-off locations are: in Flemington, VFW Post 7856 on Park Ave. (access from the borough parking lot) and the post office on Main Street; in Raritan Township, the Carrier Annex Postal Unit on Kings Court off Royal Road; and in Glen Gardner, the VFW Post 5119 on Main Street and the Post Office, also on Main Street.

Any merchant in the area who would like to volunteer to be a drop-off point, can call 908-797-0699 or email to helpfo.Scot Bennett of Flemington is a representative Red Sox Nation in New Jersey (a fan organization) and he and his son Sean are throwing a game party at Chilis on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6-8 p.

m., benefiting HFHV.The Bennetts are seeking bedding donations for admission, with a raffle of various baseball-related prizes for all those who give.

Among them are autographed baseballs (Dustin Pedroia, J. Saltalamacchia and Sparky Lyle); gift certificates for Chilis and American Tire; the chance to throw out the first pitch in a 2013 Somerset Patriots game; and the chance to have a character named for you in an upcoming novel by David Rosenfelt.Veterans Haven North is based on a similar facility in Gloucester County called Veterans Haven, which has helped nearly a thousand homeless veterans since opening in 1995.

Services at the northern one are being provided in partnership with Freedom House, an organization which since the mid-80s has provided long-term residential treatment and transitional living programs for individuals, giving them a second chance and integrating them back into meaningful lives. Freedom Houses team of counselors will complement state staffers work with the veterans.After being medically evaluated at a Veterans Administration medical center, eligible veterans participate in a long-term program focusing on psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation.

Veterans Haven is a drug- and alcohol-free program and residents must abide by this zero tolerance rule while enrolled.Vocational counselors are on hand to help them prepare to look for work. Residents are required to attend a variety of self-improvement classes.

These classes cover the gamut of life and work skills including anger management, career management, resume writing, basic computer training, health issues, money management and health and hygiene.