Today, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) announced he and many local partners are launching the sixth annual “Stockings for Veterans” drive—a holiday season effort to collect personal-care items for veterans at the VA Medical Center in Syracuse. The drive is also an opportunity to stock much-needed supplies for the medical center, which can be given to veterans at the hospital throughout the year. Donations will be accepted from Monday, Dec. 1 until Friday, Dec. 12.

“The spirit of the holiday season centers on generosity, compassion and goodwill. This year, we are encouraging the community to spread cheer with the veterans at the medical center. Once again, I am partnering with the Oswego County Clerk’s office, Mexico Central School District, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and numerous local village and town officials to collect and organize donations to honor our veterans. The tremendous support and commitment from so many are heartwarming testaments to the values that truly define our community. Ultimately, the impact of these collective efforts expresses a powerful message of sincere gratitude and appreciation for the veterans,” said Leader Barclay (R,C-Pulaski).

“This donation effort for personal-care items has truly become something meaningful, and we’re so grateful for the continued support from the communities north of our center. The gifts and cards brighten the holidays for our veterans, and it’s incredibly moving to witness both the generosity of local residents and the sincere gratitude from the veterans,” said Becky Jo Ross, spokesperson for the Syracuse VA Medical Center.

“Our veterans at the VA deserve all the care and support we can give. They help make our country what it is today and dedicated their lives to protecting the freedoms we have. I am proud to host this drive again with Leader Barclay. With the public’s help, we can bring some extra warmth and joy to our veterans this Christmas,” said Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur.

This year, the “Stockings for Veterans” drive is looking to collect the following:

• Body wash 3-in-1
• Chapstick
• Gripper socks
• Sweatpants and sweatshirts
• Men’s slip-on shoes, sizes 9-11
• T-shirts
• Regular coffee
• Creamer-nondairy or powder
• K-Cups (coffee, tea or hot cocoa)
• Word searches
• Adult coloring books
• Kids coloring or activity books
• Nutri Grain bars or soft Nature Valley snacks

Only new items will be collected.

Donated personal-care items may be dropped off at the following locations until Dec. 12:

• Leader Barclay’s District Office located at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069
• Oswego County Clerk, 46 E. Bridge St., Oswego, NY 13126
• The Fulton DMV, 200 North 2nd St., Fulton, NY 13069
• The Oswego DMV, 384 E. River Rd., Oswego, NY 13126
• The Pulaski DMV, 2 Broad St., Pulaski, NY 13142
• Central Square Library, 637 S. Main St., Central Square, NY 13036
• Sterling Town Hall, 1290 State Route 104A, Sterling, NY 13156
• Village of Adams, 3 S. Main St., Adams, NY 13605