Darby steps up for vets
When Carol Darby discovered patients at Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro were in need of basic supplies, she was quick to act.
A former member of the U.S. Army herself, Darby was stunned to find out veterans were doing without essentials such as toothpaste and soap powder to wash their clothes.
‘They shouldn’t need for anything. They’re veterans,’ said Darby, who indicated the hospital only provides the bare necessities. ‘So I started this and it began as a snowball and it’s turned into an avalanche.’
Darby started with a simple ad in the Standard just before Christmas and has been overwhelmed by the response. Since then she has made five trips to the VA hospital ‘ all with her car loaded to the hilt with supplies.
‘We’ve gotten thousands of dollars in donations,’ said Darby, who said it’s difficult to get an exact amount because some people have given money and others have donated supplies.
Darby asked the hospital for a list of common supplies that veterans need and was provided with dozens of items. An abbreviated version of that list includes underwear, shaving cream, shirts, pencils, slippers, and notebook paper.
Since taking out her initial ad, Darby has gone much further. She is sending out individual letters to over 100 organizations and businesses asking for donations. She says churches and other veterans have been especially generous.
‘Every time somebody tells me they’re going to help it just makes my hair stand up,’ said Darby. ‘I also want to say there’s no middle man. There is no money that comes out of your donation to pay administration costs. Everything goes directly to something to help the veterans.’
Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact Darby at 474-0720 or drop donations by Shoe Shack at Plaza Shopping Center.
About Alvin C. York VA Medical Center: It’s a psychiatric, medical, and surgical facility located five miles north of Murfreesboro. It has the following bed capacities: 249 psychiatric, 92 general medical, 150 nursing home care. The complex also contains a 10-bed hospice unit. The psychiatric units are structured to accommodate the chronically and severely mentally ill, and to house involuntarily admitted patients.