In November 2007, the Homeless Research Institute reported that veterans make up 25 percent of the national homeless population—a shocking statistic, considering veterans only make up 11 percent of the national population. Every fall, Nashville-based Operation Stand Down, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting homeless veterans with the community, holds an event to help these vets access medical care, employment opportunities, counseling services and a few hot meals. Unfortunately, many homeless vets are out of touch with programs set up to aid them such as social security, VA medical benefits and food stamps.

Recent changes in the economy make it almost certain that more American veterans—and other people, too—are ending up on the street every day. Here at Hammock, we spend a lot of time talking to, writing about and meeting those who have served our country, since we help produce magazines for the Marine Corps League and the Army National Guard. That’s why we’re asking you to get involved with our work for Operation Stand Down. In addition to taking monetary donations, OSD accepts donations of winter clothing items like coats, hats, gloves and wool socks. If you have extra coats hanging in the closet that you’re interested in donating, we’ll do the work for you: Just drop them off to us 3322 West End Ave., Suite 700, and we’ll make sure they get into the right hands. Or bring them by the event Oct. 17–19, at a location to be announced.