Donation site in West Hartford offers staffed, drive-up service to support Purple Heart Foundation programs for veterans, including financial aid, mental health care, and service dog training.

By Mia Jaworski

GreenDrop, a national donation collection service, officially opened its newest standing donation truck in West Hartford on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, making it easier for residents to donate gently used clothing and household items.

The site directly benefits the Purple Heart Foundation, which funds programs for veterans facing financial hardship, PTSD, and other post-service challenges.

GreenDrop’s new donation truck at 176 Newington Rd., West Hartford, officially opened June 12, 2025, to support veterans through the Purple Heart Foundation. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

Located in the Stop & Shop and Crazy Bruce’s Liquors parking lot on Newington Road, the truck is staffed daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with attendants who assist donors directly from their vehicles. Unlike traditional donation bins, the GreenDrop model emphasizes ease of use and direct nonprofit partnerships.

The site supports the Purple Heart Foundation, which aids veterans through programs focused on financial assistance, mental health, education, and service animal support. Proceeds from donated items are weighed and sent to Savers, a thrift retailer that sells the goods. GreenDrop monetizes the goods and forwards proceeds to nonprofit partners like the Purple Heart Foundation based on the total weight of donations.

“Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for vets and other honorably discharged veterans and new families. And that’s all we do,” said Steve Ruckman, CEO of the Purple Heart Foundation. “The money that you would receive from GreenDrop, that would be going towards … what we call our four main pillars.”

GreenDrop’s new donation truck at 176 Newington Rd., West Hartford, officially opened June 12, 2025, to support veterans through the Purple Heart Foundation. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

According to Ruckman, donations help fund programs such as Critical Assistance Grants, mental health initiatives, academic scholarships, and the training of service dogs for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ruckman highlighted the foundation’s Critical Assistance Grant Program, which provides emergency financial relief to honorably discharged veterans facing hardship.

“We started this program during the pandemic when so many people were losing their jobs,” Ruckman said. “This keeps the lights on … keeps a roof over their head … we’ve even paid the deductible for a veteran to go to rehab who was self-medicating. We’re very proud of this program.”

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, (D-West Hartford), of District 18, joined local and organizational leaders to cut the ceremonial ribbon. She was accompanied by Chris Conway, president and CEO of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce; Janine Carruthers, director of community relations at GreenDrop; and Ruckman of the Purple Heart Foundation.

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest cuts the ribbon June 12, 2025, to officially open GreenDrop’s new donation truck in West Hartford supporting veterans through the Purple Heart Foundation. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

The new site is GreenDrop’s second in Connecticut. The first opened May 1 in Wethersfield; West Hartford’s location began operations May 15. Nationwide, GreenDrop has over 50 locations, including sites as far as Hawaii. The company, operated by Savers Value Village, Inc., began in Pennsylvania.

The donation truck operates daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no appointment is necessary.

Donors are encouraged to give gently used items under 50 pounds. Tax forms are available for itemizing donations. Carruthers noted that attendants are available daily to assist and help promote sustainable donation practices.

GreenDrop’s new donation truck at 176 Newington Rd., West Hartford, officially opened June 12, 2025, to support veterans through the Purple Heart Foundation. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

Unlike traditional clothing bins, GreenDrop attendants are available every day to help the community donate goods more easily and support green recycling initiatives.

During Thursday’s event, guests were offered sandwiches, snacks, complimentary water for the warm afternoon, and branded GreenDrop bags.

GreenDrop’s new donation truck at 176 Newington Rd., West Hartford, officially opened June 12, 2025, to support veterans through the Purple Heart Foundation. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

More information about donation guidelines can be found on Greendrop’s website. Veterans interested in applying for assistance can visit the Purple Heart Foundation’s website. Ruckman noted that applications for the next round of Critical Assistance Grants will reopen July 1.

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