During the first few weeks of October, PPEC Dispatcher Amy Waters led the co-op’s yearly service project with several employees to help Clothes for Joes, a nonprofit in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that serves veterans in NE Indiana and NW Ohio with clothing and hygiene items. C4J President Josh Kaufmann and their staff have been a pleasure to work with throughout the process.
PPEC employees performed upgrades to their new building (opened September 10 at 2202 Calhoun St in Fort Wayne, Indiana), including re-doing their awning on the front by putting up new plywood and finishing it with galvanized metal. Other projects included:
• Setting up shelving in the store
• Designing and hanging a new banner for the front of their building
• Hanging military plaques inside
• Donating $400+ in internal employee cash donations
• Donating toiletries, clothing, and hygiene items from an internal employee drive
• Sorting clothing
• Pulling weeds along the sidewalk
To continue the project, PPEC will be hosting a Veterans Day donation drive at our office (401 McDonald Pike, Paulding, OH) on November 11, 2022, from 12:00 Noon–6:00 p.m. Members and the general community are encouraged to bring the following most-needed items:
• Hats and size large gloves
• Any coats, hoodies, jeans, and sweatpants (gently used acceptable)
• Full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, liquid body wash, or lotion
• Deodorant (solid or gel, both men’s and women’s)
• New Men’s boxers or briefs (any size)/Woman’s underwear and socks
• Toothpaste, denture cream/Fixodent
• Foot powder
• Diabetic socks
BACKGROUND: PPEC has a long history of supporting veteran organizations, including Honor Flight of NE Indiana, and that is continuing with Amy’s leadership RELITE service project this year. Through various projects PPEC is partnering with Clothes 4 Joes to help provide provisions for current and former local veterans.
Let’s show our support to all those who served this great country! Learn more at www.ppec.coop/ C4J-DonationDay, and be sure to bring donations to PPEC’s Veterans Drive November 11 from 12:00 Noon–6:00 p.m.
