Volunteers Help Vets Residence Feel a Bit More Like Home

The lives of Long Island's homeless veterans were made a bit more comfortable over the weekend, thanks to the efforts of local volunteers.

Forty volunteers from National Grid, Moonjumpers, Leadership Huntington, Cow Harbor Warriors, and Sons of the American Legion spent Saturday renovating the Salvation Army Northport Veteran's Residence, which provides shelter and housing to homeless vets on Long Island.

The volunteers gave the residence a fresh new look, painting the kitchen, dining room and laundry room, and hanging cabinets in the kitchen area. National Grid and local Long Island businesses donated materials and supplies, including cabinets, countertops, appliances and more. A new floor, granite countertops, and new appliances will be installed in the coming weeks.

One current resident, Debbie Wilson, a veteran who served in the army from 1981-1984, responded to the volunteers’ efforts. 

“I feel like a kid on Christmas morning,” said Wilson. “These nice folks are making me feel appreciated and they are making it look so nice in here, I actually want to stay.”

National Grid has been a long-time partner working with the Northport VA. 

“When we saw the conditions in the rooms where residents start and end their day together, we knew we had to do something,” said Ray Homburger, Community and Customer Manager at National Grid and the National Grid volunteer organizer. “This volunteer effort brought together many organizations focused on helping our veterans and we at National Grid were honored to have the opportunity to work with these groups.”

Greg Curran, Homeless Manager for the VA said, “This is a tremendous thing that the volunteers did. It really shows the vets that people care about them.”

The Northport VA Hospital was built in 1928 and has been a full service medical center since 1971 with approximately 30 buildings ranging in size from 4,000 to over 460,000 square feet. The Salvation Army Residence opened in 1997.  

Currently, the building houses up to 48 veterans a day. Each veteran can stay for up to three months, during which time he or she gets help finding work, permanent housing, and help with other health a social needs.

National Grid has a long history of being committed to helping veterans.  In addition to other volunteer work, National Grid has an active veteran employment program, currently employing over 700 veterans in the U.S.