SUBMITTED BY HARRISON COUNTY CEOS

 

As part of their ongoing mission to make their communities a better place, the members of the Harrison County Community Educational Outreach Service came together on May 22 to collect an estimated $10,000 worth of hygiene, entertainment, and comfort items for those using the services of the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center.

 

Often, veterans visit their doctor for what they believe will be a routine check-up, only to be admitted to the hospital for further testing. Because the hospital serves clients from a large geographical area, the veterans’ loved ones have no idea where to go for personal needs items.

 

These donations help to alleviate that stress.

 

“When the doctor says they aren’t going home, they don’t have a toothbrush or anything,” said Harrison County CEOS president Carolyn Romine. “We are a service organization. That’s our purpose, to help the community. We are repaying the veterans for all they have done for us.”

 

The donated items ranged from toothpaste to T-shirts, from Sudoku to socks, and everything in between.

 

The leadership and administrative staff at the West Virginia University Extension office at Knapp Hall in Morgantown also participated with a sizeable donation to aid the local efforts. “We are really excited to utilize these donations to help a lot of different programs,” said Michael White, the VA chief for Development and Civic Engagement.

 

 “It makes our veterans’ lives better. This takes our medical center from feeling like a sterile location to feeling more like home. It makes our veterans happier.”

The Harrison County Community Educational Outreach Service organization consists of 15 clubs and more than 200 members scattered throughout Harrison County.

 

For more information on joining a CEOS club in Harrison County, please call the West Virginia University Extension Office at 304-624-8650. T

 

he programs and activities offered by the WVU Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status. When registering for these programs, please designate special access or dietary needs three weeks prior.

 

The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

 

Editor’s Note: The Harrison County Community Outreach Service organization donated an estimated $10,000 worth of hygiene, comfort, and entertainment items to the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center on May 22. The items will be used to help veterans who experienced an unexpected stay in the hospital and for those utilizing other hospital services. From left at CEOS president Carolyn Romine, CEOS secretary Patricia Rummel, and VA chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement Michael White.