Ink Asylum Art Studio, an all-veteran tattoo parlor in Lumberton, Texas, is holding a winter clothing and camping gear drive to help local veterans in need during the cold months. The drive is running until January 31, 2025, and donations can be dropped off at the studio, located at 837 North Main Street, Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The initiative is spearheaded by Ben “Moose” Morrow, the studio’s manager, who served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2003. Morrow, along with the studio’s owner, Shane Mark Allen, a Marine Corps veteran, and another Army veteran, decided to continue a tradition of helping veterans that Morrow brought with him from Oregon. In Oregon, Morrow’s veteran motorcycle club would frequently assist homeless veterans during the winter months, providing essential items such as winter clothing, socks, underwear, blankets, and sleeping bags.
While Morrow acknowledges that the homeless veteran population in Texas may not be as widespread as in larger cities, he emphasizes that veterans are still in need of support, especially during the colder months. “We’re trying to help the veterans who are down-and-out,” he said.
Morrow’s desire to help fellow veterans is fueled by his continued involvement in Odin’s Son, a motorcycle group made up of veterans, their families, and first responders. The group’s mission is to serve other veterans, and Morrow is committed to carrying on that tradition in Texas.
In addition to the tattoo parlor’s efforts, a Winter Clothing Rally for veterans took place at Teddy Morse Cowboy Harley-Davidson in Beaumont on January 11, where veterans could pick up donated winter clothing. Organized by the Harley Owners Group Chapter 5298, VFW 4820, MotoGrave, and Combat Vets 23-13, the event offered veterans the chance to select new and gently used winter coats, jackets, sweaters, gloves, scarves, hats, socks, and blankets, along with a complimentary lunch.
This clothing drive is part of a broader effort to support homeless veterans, a group that continues to face significant challenges. According to the Texas Homeless Network, veterans make up a large portion of the homeless population, with 87.2% of homeless veterans in Texas being men and 10.6% being women. As of January 2024, the total number of homeless veterans in Texas was 32,882, showing a 7.5% decrease from the previous year. Despite this improvement, many veterans still face homelessness, either in shelters or unsheltered on the streets.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported that it exceeded its goal of housing 41,000 veterans in 2024, housing the largest number of veterans in a single year since 2019. “All the elements that came together to change people’s lives this year were truly an inspiration,” said Monica Diaz, senior executive director of the VA Homeless Programs Office.
Morrow and his team at Ink Asylum are determined to continue their mission of helping veterans, and the community’s support has been vital in making this winter gear drive a success.
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