HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — A Hot Springs Village woman is hoping to make a difference in veterans’ lives, one pair of jeans at a time.
Sheila Beatty-Krout has been collecting jeans for veterans in need for almost six years now.
“I have a two-car garage, my husband does not park in it,” Krout said.
She’s got the space, but she’s asking for the communities help to fill it.
Krout is a member of a group called the United States Daughters of 1812. They hold a year-round drive for gently used men’s denim jeans.
“Most of these are indigent veterans and they come into the V.A. and they need help,” Krout said.
Last year they collected over 300 pairs for the St. Francis House and the V.A. voluntary services at Eugene Towbin Medical Center.
The V.A. facility told her they’re in need of more jeans.
“Men’s denim jeans, and not slacks, are needed because they’re sturdy for quite honestly sleeping on the streets,” Krout said.
Krout said it’s important we give to those who have sacrificed so much.
“Most of them that are on the street now, it’s because of their service. Either one way or the other," Krout said. "Either self-medicating for PTSD, the addiction, whatever. And most of them layed down their lives for us.”
She is committed to making sure Americas heroes are not forgotten in their time of need.
“Either through monetary donations or actual jeans being delivered to me or I go pick them up. I bring them home, I inspect them to make sure they’re in good repair, I wash them and I pack them in a box,” Krout said.
If you’d like to donate you can contact her at beattykrout@suddenlink.net.
The V.A. facility is in need of smaller waist jeans, which are sizes 38 and below.