General Needs
Lonnie Sherman of the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club gave an impassioned talk on the work of General Needs, LTD at our regular meeting on Wednesday, February 15th.
Lonnie is the founder of General Needs, a 501(c) (3) organization, whose mission is to provide the basic necessities of life to homeless US veterans through financial and material donations.
He began with a synopsis of how he became aware of the serious plight of homeless veterans on Long Island, and how that led to a rapidly growing undertaking to provide the basic supplies they need to cope with everyday life.
Lonnie estimates that there are about 5000 homeless veterans in the four county area served by Rotary District 7255, many of whom have experienced heartbreaking personal devastation resulting from the ravages of PTSD. Lonnie’s description of the horrible effects of PTSD were amplified by Babylon Rotary member Dr. Gujavarty who has many years of first-hand experience treating those with the illness.
Throughout Long Island and Queens, people who are involved with General Needs are compassionate and concerned for those who have served our country. They bring a passion in serving our homeless veterans with dignity. From Lonnie’s enthusiastic initial efforts, General Needs has grown to a District wide movement, with people and groups helping throughout the four counties of Long Island.
They serve through financial or material donations and aid, and donate clothing, toiletries and bedding to those who served our nation. Typical donated items include: underwear, T-shirts, socks, outerwear, gloves, hats, blankets, towels/washcloths, toiletries, and other clothing and personal goods. All items must be new, and in factory packaging where possible.
General Needs is also seeking volunteers who can donate their time to this worthy cause by helping with inventory, packing and distribution.
Lonnie is encouraging every Rotary club within the District 7255 to become involved through volunteer work, sponsorships and donations to support this most worthwhile cause. He is pictured above with Babylon Rotary President Megan Noble.
He began with a synopsis of how he became aware of the serious plight of homeless veterans on Long Island, and how that led to a rapidly growing undertaking to provide the basic supplies they need to cope with everyday life.
Lonnie estimates that there are about 5000 homeless veterans in the four county area served by Rotary District 7255, many of whom have experienced heartbreaking personal devastation resulting from the ravages of PTSD. Lonnie’s description of the horrible effects of PTSD were amplified by Babylon Rotary member Dr. Gujavarty who has many years of first-hand experience treating those with the illness.
Throughout Long Island and Queens, people who are involved with General Needs are compassionate and concerned for those who have served our country. They bring a passion in serving our homeless veterans with dignity. From Lonnie’s enthusiastic initial efforts, General Needs has grown to a District wide movement, with people and groups helping throughout the four counties of Long Island.
They serve through financial or material donations and aid, and donate clothing, toiletries and bedding to those who served our nation. Typical donated items include: underwear, T-shirts, socks, outerwear, gloves, hats, blankets, towels/washcloths, toiletries, and other clothing and personal goods. All items must be new, and in factory packaging where possible.
General Needs is also seeking volunteers who can donate their time to this worthy cause by helping with inventory, packing and distribution.
Lonnie is encouraging every Rotary club within the District 7255 to become involved through volunteer work, sponsorships and donations to support this most worthwhile cause. He is pictured above with Babylon Rotary President Megan Noble.