In 2008, General Needs founder Lonnie Sherman volunteered at a monthly “hot meal” service at the Northport VA Medical Center, a Long Island veteran’s emergency homeless shelter. During November and December, Lonnie noticed some civic groups and individuals came in to offer clothing and coats to the shelter residents.
These veterans are housed for up to 90 days while undergoing treatment for PTSD, Substance Abuse, Mental and Physical therapies, as well as Medical Procedures. However, little was offered to assist the veterans in January and the rest of the year. In conversations with the veterans and the social work staff, it became apparent that the residents needed simple, everyday items such as underwear, socks, and t-shirts, all of which were rarely donated to the shelter.
In soliciting support from family, friends, and business associates, Lonnie would ask, “Doesn’t everybody like to open a fresh, new bag of underwear?” He would pool donations of these essential undergarments and money (including from his own pocket) until he had accumulated and purchased enough items to service 40-45 veterans. He would pack the clothing in reusable shopping bags and thus provide a “Distribution with Dignity” by handing out new, much-needed, appropriately sized goods for the veterans. Lonnie always included a smile and a look in the eye while providing a heartfelt “thank you for your service” handshake. Lonnie became affectionately known as “the underwear man.”
Distributions went from sporadic to quarterly to monthly, with the assistance of family and friends participating in this cause. In time, Lonnie came to understand that these veterans lacked many other basic necessities, such as toiletries, seasonally appropriate clothing, footwear, etc. Lonnie’s solicitations for support led to increased donations, the eventual result of which became better service to our veterans by Lonnie’s organization, General Needs!
