The Standley Lake Library is proud to announce the launch of its Yarn & Needle Arts Annual Community Drive, Oct. 20 through Nov. 30, in partnership with the American Red Cross.
This year, the drive will provide essential items for homeless veterans in the community. As winter draws near, this initiative offers warmth and care to those who have served our country.
How to Help
You can make a difference by donating handmade and store-bought items at the Standley Lake Library. Here’s what is needed:
Handmade Items |
Store-Bought Items |
| Blankets/quilts | Body wash |
| Hats | Brushes and combs |
| Lap blankets | Chapstick/lip balm |
| Scarves and cowls | Deodorant |
| Shawls | Denture cleaner |
| Soap sacks (with bar soap) | Hair ties |
| Socks | Hand sanitizer (small to medium size) |
| Washcloths | Kleenex packs |
| Lotion bottles | |
| Nail files | |
| Shampoo | |
| Toothbrushes and floss | |
| Wet wipes packs | |
| Ziploc freezer bags |
By contributing to the Standley Lake Library's Yarn & Needle Arts Annual Community Drive, you can help make a positive impact on the lives of veterans who have given so much to our country. Every item counts.
American Red Cross Highlights Community Support for Veterans in Need
Crystal Schutter, regional director for the Services to the Armed Forces and International Services Department of the American Red Cross, opens a new window in Colorado and Wyoming, highlights the importance of these efforts: "For over a century, the American Red Cross has stood by our veterans, offering critical support in military hospitals and VA centers around the globe. Through rehabilitation, recreation and personal services, our volunteers — many of them veterans themselves — provide the care and compassion our nation's heroes deserve. But we can't do it alone. Community donations are vital in ensuring we continue this legacy of service, honoring those who have sacrificed for our freedom and safeguarding their well-being today and in the future."
The American Red Cross provides essential cold-weather gear to help homeless veterans stay warm. Beyond donations, the Red Cross offers emergency communications, health and wellness programs, therapy animals and morale-boosting activities for veterans and their families.
"As the colder months approach, the demand for cold weather gear — hats, gloves, scarves, gaiters and hand warmers — grows, especially for unhoused veterans facing the elements," Schutter adds. Veteran mothers and expecting service members' families are also supported through baby showers hosted by VA hospitals and military treatment facilities, where items such as baby clothes and supplies are needed.
Schutter underlines the value of local partnerships, saying, "We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations that will directly support our service members, veterans and their families. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served, and we couldn’t be more thankful for this wonderful collaboration."
For several years, Standley Lake's Yarn and Needle Arts Group has been organizing community drives in support of charities and non-profits, with past recipients including the Arvada Fire Department, Packs of Hope, Family Tree, Hope House and Volunteers of America. These efforts have resulted in nearly 10,000 donated items, showcasing the generosity and creativity of the library community, as well as the power of partnerships and institutional collaboration.
