ASU organizers trying to collect clothes for needy veterans are blaming the current political climate on their lack of success.
Billie Hirachita, a business management senior and member of a club trying to collect clothes for needy veterans, said the war in Iraq and the presidential election might have affected people's views about the needs of veterans.
Hirachita said by Friday, the group had only received 10 items from the six donation boxes placed in buildings across campus.
"I've noticed both [presidential] candidates have used veterans as part of their political campaigning," Hirachita said. "They may be so much in the limelight right now that people don't appreciate their needs."
President Bush's re-election agenda includes plans to increase health care services to veterans and provide additional prescription drug coverage.
According to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, veterans would receive more resources to curb homelessness and improve health care under his presidency.
"These people served our country and our freedoms," Hirachita said. "We feel like we need to help serve them."
The Wishing Well Club, which started as an ASU upper division business management project, has been working to aid Valley military veterans since Sept. 21 by staging a clothing drive on campus.
"We're not asking for people to spend a lot of money," she said. "The veterans are thankful for even the smallest [donation]."
She said the group has extended its deadline for donations to Wednesday.
"We will even accept slightly worn clothing in good condition; people can even find inexpensive socks at Wal-Mart and the 99-cent store."
Theater junior Andrew MacKay said he thinks politics need to be separated from veterans' needs.
"A lot of who people give to is biased by their own experiences," he said. "If someone needs something though, they should be able to look passed that and give."
Hirachita said she has been involved with a similar clothing drive at Phoenix College, and she said the program there was far more successful.
"We have received over 350 pairs of socks alone there each year. It has been disappointing to not receive more donations from a school that is ASU's size," she added.
Reach the reporter at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
