The Operation Comfort Warriors grant and other donations supported new boots and shoes for the Winterhaven Standdown in Washington, D.C.
The American Legion provided 361 pairs of new boots and shoes for homeless and at-risk veterans in Washington, D.C., during the 2024 “Walk in Their Footsteps” Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Standdown on Saturday, Nov. 2. The donation was made possible through a $10,000 American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors grant and $1,500 in donations through the Legion’s D.C. Office.
“It was really showing what The American Legion stands for and that is veterans helping veterans. And Be the One,” said Chris Herndon, American Legion District of Columbia National Executive Committeeman and adjutant of Post 46, which submitted the OCW grant request. “The VA said this act is more than shoes. It’s taking away depression. It's taking away people being disconnected from the community. It's showing that they're part of a bigger community and that can directly lead to veterans fighting suicidal thoughts. I think we supported in a tangible way by being the one.”
The standdown was held at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center where veterans received winter coats, a warm meal, VA health care assistance, backpacks filled with personal care items and new footwear. The goal this year was to provide 700 new pairs of boots and shoes – nearly 800 pairs were collected.
“Typically, we run out of new boots and shoes. But this year, because of The American Legion's contribution, we had an abundance of new boots and shoes left over,” said Walter Elmore, community and civic engagement coordinator/veteran service officer at Access Housing, Inc., a sponsor of the standdown.
“The in-kind contribution that The American Legion made to the 2024 ‘Walk in Their Footsteps’ new shoe and boot drive for underserved homeless and disabled veterans, made a significant difference in this year’s boot collection. It means a lot. It means a whole lot.”
Elmore said that the leftover footwear will benefit veterans and their families that come to the VA community resource and referral center throughout the year.
Herndon, along with other Legion leadership and national staff, helped distribute the new boots to men and women veterans and ensured they received the correct size and fit. Those who helped included District of Columbia Department Commander Detashia Coleman; Post 46 Commander Marcus Bowers; Post 46 Senior Vice Commander Jason Secrest; Legion Executive Director of Government Affairs Mario Marquez; Director of Veterans Employment and Education Joe Sharpe; Employment and Education Policy Associate Tyra Nelson; and several Legionnaires from Posts 46 and 68.
“A lot of our homeless veterans feel like the country has forgotten about them and that nobody really cares about them,” Elmore said. “The American Legion, they really showed up. They showed up and they let our veterans know that The American Legion does care.”
The American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors program supports VA medical facilities and transition units by providing comfort items and rehabilitation equipment to veterans. To learn more and request a grant, click here.
- Operation Comfort Warriors