The countdown is on: Operation Stand Down (ODS) is only 10 days away, and we Hammock folks are hoping to collect enough coats, hats, vests, gloves and scarves to provide warmth for Nashville’s homeless veterans this winter. A few weeks into our efforts, Team Hammock has already collected enough winter apparel to fill up my car—but we’re still hoping to receive more donations.

According to the ODS Web site, the military term “stand down” describes the movement of soldiers in combat to a safe place for rest and recovery. From Oct. 17 to 19, many of Nashville’s homeless veterans will learn more the programs that can get them to safer places—and off the streets. They’ll learn about access to medical care, employment opportunities and disability benefits. Plus, the vets will be the recipients of a few hearty meals and enough clothing to keep them warm this winter.

If you have winter clothing items to donate, we’ll be happy to drop them off for you. Just bring your extra warm woolen mittens to our office at 3322 West End Ave., Suite 700 (the big pie-shaped building at the corner of Murphy Road), and we’ll make sure your generous donations get into the right hands.

Last week, Megan Pacella loaded her car full of donated coats, hats, gloves and scarves, and drove to the site of the Operation Stand Down event, where a group of grateful volunteers and homeless veterans were awaiting her arrival. Thanks to the generosity of Hammock folks and our friends, we were able to donate about 20 coats and countless scarves, hats and pairs of gloves to this charitable event, which connected about 400 homeless vets to medical care, pensions, Social Security and other benefits in hopes of helping them get off the streets.