EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct Albert Daw’s last name. Daw is president of God’s Little Closet, not House of Hope thrift store. He is not affiliated with Our Light Ministry, a food ministry located in Dunnavant that serves the Dunnavant and Vandiver areas in Shelby County.

According to the HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Program, there were more than 35,000 homeless veterans in the U.S. in 2023.

Most live in homeless shelters or temporary housing, are male (8 percent are women) and older than 50. But, many live in conditions not considered suitable for human habitation: Abandoned buildings, automobiles, parks or literally on the street.

Albert Daw Jr. is the president of God’s Little Closet. They provide free clothing and deliver socks blankets and other necessities to homeless shelters. In 2019, Daw started Community Action Togetherness Services, also known as CATS.

CATS is working toward building a home and community center for veterans — male and female. The building will house eight veterans. The community center features a great room, theater, game room and more. The cost for the building will be $300,000.

To raise money bricks, that will go in the rose garden, are being sold. Buyers can have their name engraved in the brick or the name of a veteran. The cost is $100 for a 4×8 brick, $125 for an 8×8 brick, and $150 for a 12×12 brick. Forms to purchase these bricks can be picked up at the American Legion, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Mt. Hebron Baptist Church or The Pants Store in Leeds. Private message Daw to have a form sent by mail. They can also be printed out from the picture on Daw’s Facebook page. Businesses are encouraged to print out forms and pass them out to clientele.

Send completed forms to CATS P.O. Box 1313, Leeds, AL 35094. Venmo payment and donations go to @cats 13. The deadline is Aug. 31.