As Central Oregon fall temperatures began their annual nighttime drop, Redmond Proficiency Academy (RPA) Middle Schoolers and school officials spent the last few weeks collecting donations and assembling emergency bags to be distributed to homeless persons in the Central Oregon area.
In total, the middle school collected 2,700 items and assembled over 60 bags containing essentials such as warm socks, toothbrushes and paste, feminine products, deodorant, hand/foot warmers, and some food items.
RPA is working with the local organization Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO) to ensure that the items are distributed to individuals in need. COVO was founded in 2005 by members of Vietnam Veterans of America #820 to lend a hand to veterans experiencing homelessness and has since grown to incorporate all veterans and other individuals in need.
