United Way NSV’s Women United group launches second annual air mattress drive

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (NSV) is kicking off its annual donation drive to support homeless children and their families.  The effort is led by Women United®, a philanthropy group of United Way NSV. The group is collecting twin and queen sized -new- air mattresses, sheet sets, comforters and pillows for families who face housing insecurity. The drive begins this week and continues through March 6, 2023.

According to school officials, more than 500 students in our region have been declared homeless since the start of the school year. Many are living in motels or doubled up with family or friends, sleeping on the floor. School districts in the City of Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page and Warren counties provided the numbers, which have increased in most jurisdictions compared to this same time last year.

“We know many families in our community are moving every few days, or jumping from couch to couch, not knowing if they will have a warm bed.  This is a way we can provide a little comfort during a difficult time in their lives,” said Yolanda Barbier-Gibson, Chair of Women United.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, the group collected 725 items last year, including 200 air mattresses. Jennifer Hall, Senior Director of Community Investment at United Way NSV said United Way’s Valley Assistance Network (VAN) program distributed about 15 of the bedding sets to families last year.  Recipients included a woman who had just received custody of her 5-year-old grandson, and a single mom with three boys who moved into their own apartment after staying at a motel for six months.

“A comfortable bed is something most of us take for granted – but these items can mean the world to a child, and is something they can call their own,” Hall said.

In addition to the Valley Assistance Network, the group will distribute donations to Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester, Family Promise of Shenandoah County, Page One of Page County, and Warren County Department of Social Services.

Donations can be made with a click of a button through this Amazon Wish List. Items will be sent directly to the United Way office for distribution.

Donations of new items can also be dropped off at the following locations:

• United Way NSV (329 N Cameron Street, #201 – Winchester)
• First Bank (all branch locations)
• The Winchester Group TWG (24 W Piccadilly Street – Winchester)
• Warren County Chamber of Commerce (201 E 2nd St – Front Royal)

“The goal is to collect 175 or more new air mattresses plus accessories like new sheet sets, comforters, and pillows. We need a variety of twin and queen-sized air mattresses,” said Hall.

Women United is engaged in over 165 communities across six countries. Together, group members create lasting change to lift up local communities.  United Way NSV launched its own chapter of Women United in 2021. To learn more, visit unitedwaynsv.org/women-united.

For more details on the bedding drive, visit unitedwaynsv.org/mattress.