KADS to host fundraiser, collect donations for veterans
Monday, January 23, 2012 – Trilla Cook
Democrats, independents and disenchanted Republicans, from around the Kingwood-Atascocita-Humble area are invited to attend and support Democratic efforts in Northeast Harris County. The Kingwood Area Democrats (KAD) will host a fundraising brunch and 2012 Democratic candidate meet and greet Feb. 11 at the Kingwood Country Club Pavilion.
Serving as master of ceremonies will be newly elected chair of the Harris County Democratic Party Lane Lewis. Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, candidate for Texas House District 127 Cody Pogue and candidate for Harris County Board of Trustees Diane Trautman are among the VIPs invited, including district judges, officeholders and other 2012 candidates.
“Kingwood is a wonderful community with people of many views,” said President Egberto Willies. “Inasmuch as many have had the impression that it is a monolithic Conservative Republican enclave, we have found that Kingwood has a very large percentage of Democrats, Independents, and open minded Republicans that are looking for any candidate irrespective of party who will work in the best interest of the middle class and America.”
KAD has served northeast Harris County for more than 18 years. They are gearing up for 2012 with the hope that support for this event will help to ensure grassroots efforts will be in full-force in the area.
Also, KAD will be collecting donated items for the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center at the brunch. KAD treasurer Linda Abdmoulaie, who volunteers regularly at the V.A., will personally deliver the donations.
“Many of the patients are homeless and arrive at the hospital without a change of clothes or really anything to care for their personal needs,” said Abdmoulaie. “These donations are so appreciated by them.”
Donated items specifically requested by the V.A. are: comfort items such as lap robes, socks, booties, ditty bags, wheelchair bags and bibs. Recreational items such as video tapes, DVDs, books, magazines, stamps, envelopes, playing cards, greeting cards, puzzles and crafts. And hygiene items such as travel-size toiletries, including lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body powder, combs and brushes.
New and used clothing in good condition will be accepted, including long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, dress and casual slacks, blue jeans, jackets, suits, socks and shoes. While a majority of the patients are men, women’s clothes are also accepted.
“We are so excited about this program and the opportunity it would give everyone in the Kingwood area community to contribute,” said KAD publicity chair Deborah Mowrey. “We know this is a very giving community with a lot of patriotic spirit, so we think that a number of businesses will want to partner with us in this effort for our vets.”
The Michael E. DeBakey V.A. Medical Center serves as the primary health care provider for more than 116,000 veterans in southeast Texas. Veterans from around the country are referred there for specialized diagnostic care, radiation therapy, surgery and medical treatment, including cardiovascular surgery, treatment of spinal cord injury and diseases.
According to Mowrey, KAD has sponsored a holiday donation drive to benefit veterans for several years, and they are proud to announce the expansion of this effort to a year-round donation drive.
KAD is sponsoring special red and blue collection tubs at various Kingwood business locations. “Shopping lists” of items specifically requested by the V.A. such as books, toiletries, and comfort items will be available at the collection sites. The tubs will be emptied periodically with donations going directly to veterans.
For information on how to become a V.A. collection site and to purchase tickets to the event for a $40 per person donation, visit KingwoodAreaDemocrats.org. Tickets may also be purchased by mail at Kingwood Area Democrats, Linda Abdmoulaie, KADS Treasurer, 18930 Vantage View Lane, Humble, TX 77346.
Photo: Cody Pogue, left, KAD vice-president Sue Pilko, KAD treasurer Linda Abdmoulaie and Deborah Mowrey display one of the collection tubs used for VA donations. Contributed photo
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