Local brothers holding annual veterans supply drive
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Following a previous donation drive, local youth stand next to the collected donations, saluting with a veteran who served as a World War II Air Force airplane mechanic. Pictured from left are Air Force veteran Harvey Rackley, King Hoyett, Carter Tindall, Brandon Thompson, Kaden Tindall, and Brantley Robinson. File photo
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Once again two brothers in Rockford are gearing up for their annual veterans drive for the Bill Nichols State Veteran’s Home in Alexander City.
Kaden and Carter Tindall, sons of Thomas and Jennifer Tindall, are holding the Veterans Drive for the fifth year. While the brothers typically hold the drive in November to deliver items by Veteran’s Day, the drive was delayed because of illness and extracurricular activities last fall.
However, despite the delay, the duo remains dedicated to helping local veterans through the annual drive.
“Their commitment to it every year is heartwarming,” Jennifer Tindall said.
This year, the Tindall boys will be set up at the Rockford Dollar General on Saturday, February 22, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Those wishing to donate may also contact Mrs. Tindall at the Sheriff’s Office.
Each year the Tindalls request a wish list from Bill Nichols State Veteran’s Home with items their resident would like to have, or things they may want more of, as the case may be.
Those wishing to help with the Veterans Drive may make a donation of items from the wish list or give a monetary donation if they would prefer not to shop for the items themselves.
Mrs. Tindall explained, “Bill Nichols takes wonderful care of their veterans and provides everything they need. This is just extra to help out.”
Wish list items that Kaden and Carter are collecting for the veteran’s home include body wash (no bar soap); toothpaste; toothbrushes; shampoo; conditioner; handkerchiefs; boxes of Kleenex; 1,000 island, ranch, balsamic, and Italian dressing; deodorant (no canned deodorant); non-alcoholic beer; Little Debbie cakes; Gatorade; regular and sugar-free snack pudding cups; fruit cups; assorted Pringles; diet canned sodas; sugar-free and regular soft candy and chocolate; sugar-free single-pack cookies; all sizes of Velcro-fastened tennis shoes; mustard; ketchup; lotion; peanut butter crackers; cheese crackers; hot sauce; barbecue sauce; Alabama and Auburn items; hot chocolate; K-cups; gloves; assorted board games; and assorted music CDs, including country, bluegrass, classical, jazz, R&B, patriotic, seasonal, oldies, and rock and roll.
Some of the items from the wish list that are donated are also used as bingo prizes, as veterans at Bill Nichols play bingo multiple times each week, with a winner receiving a prize for each round.
Monetary donations not used for these items are utilized when the Bill Nichols’ Activities Department takes the veterans out on field trips or going out to eat.
Those who are unable to give during this Veterans Drive do not have to wait for the next drive to give back to the veterans. Individuals or organizations can donate all year long, and donating throughout the year is encouraged to help ensure the veteran’s home has enough items for bingo prizes and funds to help with activities.
