01/22/2026
During the season of giving, the patrons of Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) did their part.
VCS collected more than 7,000 donated items at PatriotStores throughout VA, as part of VCS’s 12 Days of Holidays campaign. VCS encouraged patrons to buy essential items in the PatriotStore and leave them in convenient donation boxes, with items all going to Veterans in need.
Sixteen Canteens received donations of 100 units or more, with the PatriotStore in Clarksburg, W.V., leading the way, receiving 1,404 items.
The donation drive kicked off on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2. Donated items included backpacks, blankets, shoes, socks, cold-weather clothing, personal hygiene items, and non-perishable foods.
"On Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back, the Veterans Canteen Service launched an incredible campaign that mobilized many generous patrons to support Veterans served by VHA Homeless Programming,” said Dr. Matthew Eitutis, Acting Director, VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement. “Thanks to the initiative of VCS and the remarkable generosity of its patrons, over 7,000 items were donated. It is truly commendable that during the holiday season, the VCS team prioritized giving back to our nation’s heroes through this highly successful campaign."
Vietnam-era Veteran Jim Barrante, a native of Erie County, Pa., who currently lives in Germany, sent a check for $200 to be used to purchase needed items at the Erie VA Canteen.
“Keeping our Veterans warm for those residing up north this time of the year is most important,” Barrante said. “We Veterans support one another and especially the homeless, who need help all year around – not just Christmas.”
Images: Clarksburg, W.V., Donation Box with Grill Cook Cierra Golden, Sales Clerk Carmon Taylor, Retail Associate Riley Nicholson, Food Associate Mariah Hill, and Canteen Chief Tina Wilkinson.
854 Aurora, Colorado, Canteen Chief Roy Van Meter and Chief of Volunteer Service Eva Gergily
