The Congressional Legislative Staff Association, in cooperation with the House and Senate military liaison offices, will host a clothing drive today and Friday to benefit veterans displaced from the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss., which was severely damaged by the recent storm.

More than 350 veterans who lived in that facility have since been relocated to the D.C. Armed Forces Retirement Home.

Congressional Legislative Staff Association President Charles Elliott, a military legislative assistant to Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), said the group decided to focus on the veterans, noting, “What more deserving group of people than these heroes that have served their country?”

Boxes for the clothing drive will be put out Sept. 15 and will remain available until noon the following day. The CLSA is requesting that staffers bring sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, coats and other warm clothing in good, clean condition.

A list of suggested donations can be found at www.afrh.gov/files/pdf/afrhdonations.pdf. For more information, contact Elliott at charles.elliott@mail.house.gov.

‘D.C. Rocks’ Benefits Military Families

A Washington, D.C., benefit for the men and women of the U.S. armed forces will focus in part on helping military families on the Gulf Coast who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

“D.C. Rocks for the Troops,” an event Friday at D.C.’s Hard Rock Cafe featuring the New York City cover band Cafe Wha, will benefit the Armed Forces Foundation, a nonprofit that supports injured troops and their families. Because Hurricane Katrina devastated many military families living along the Gulf Coast, a portion of the event’s proceeds will go to help them.

Various cast members of MTV’s “The Real World” are expected to be in attendance. Tickets are $45 and include drinks and appetizers. The event is sponsored by DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and the Hewlett Packard Co.

The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E St. NW. For more information or to buy tickets, go online to www.armedforcesfoundation.org/events/2005/hardRock.cfm or call (202) 547-4713.

— Jennifer Yachnin and Amy Carlile