Just days before Memorial Day, a Metro Detroit veterans charity is asking for help after vandals tore apart two of its clothing-donation bins in Detroit. Staff who service the collection boxes say that on recent routes, they found doors ripped clean off and, in some cases, entire units gone. Leaders with the group warn that every bin they have to repair or replace drains money and staff time from programs meant to support veterans and families in need.
Bins damaged on West Vernor near Military Street
According to WXYZ, the latest trouble hit donation boxes on West Vernor Highway near Military Street, which workers discovered damaged after a servicing run. Paul Dehem, the foundation’s director and founder, told the station the vandalism happened "sometime between Wednesday and Friday," while Aiman Kawas, who oversees servicing, said he arrived to find doors torn off the bins. The group is urging anyone who might have surveillance footage or information to contact Detroit police.
Charity says pattern stretches across the region
The organization operates more than 200 donation boxes across southeast Michigan, charity staff told ClickOnDetroit. Volunteers showed the outlet a "long list" of police reports and said that at least 30 other boxes have been hit in recent years. Staff added that some locations have been damaged beyond repair or had boxes removed entirely by thieves.
Replacement costs bite into services
Jason Beddow, the foundation’s director of development, told WXYZ that each bin costs about $1,000 to replace and that every missing box means fewer donations coming in for veterans. "The vets are missing out on their charity and donations from those bins, and it is just a real shame," Beddow said. Leaders say that repeated repairs and replacements keep pulling resources away from the group’s thrift-store operations and its direct-assistance programs.
What the foundation does
Based in Clinton Township, Veterans and America First Foundation runs a thrift storefront and donation-collection programs that help support housing, food, and other services for veterans and their families, according to the organization’s website. The group accepts drop-offs and also offers pickup for larger donations to support initiatives such as its Hands2Hearts2Hands program.
Police and neighbors urged to help
FOX2 identified one of the vandalized locations as the corner by 6060 West Vernor Highway, where two boxes were found damaged overnight, and reported that police reports have been filed. ClickOnDetroit also noted that the foundation has asked nearby businesses and residents to review their security cameras for any footage that might help identify suspects. Charity leaders say the timing, landing right before Memorial Day, makes the damage feel especially disrespectful and especially costly for the people they are trying to serve.
