Santa’s helpers were American Legion Auxiliary members who were spending their day at the Temple VA assisting hospitalized veterans select Christmas gifts for their families.
For the auxiliary, it was an opportunity to help out those who have served. For the veterans, it was a self-esteem booster - being able to provide gifts for family members.
The VA Domiciliary’s recreation room on Tuesday had tables piled high with gifts that would please just about anyone. There were stacks of fleece throws; toys, ranging from trucks to Barbies; watches, both wrist and pocket; slippers and more.
Veterans signed in and filled out forms with information on who would be the gift recipients. A volunteer then accompanied the veteran, assisting with the gift selection.
Tommy Pope’s goal was to find the perfect gifts for his grandchildren in Austin - three girls and one boy.
Being able to provide them with gifts is important, he said.
“This means I won’t feel like such a loser,” Pope said.
Pope, a Vietnam veteran, had his eye on a couple of dolls for the younger girls, jewelry for the older granddaughter and a pocket watch for his grandson.
His shopping assistant was Barbara Hall of New Braunfels.
This was Ms. Hall’s first year to physically attend the gift-shopping event; she had donated money for a number of years.
The day started out early - 4 a.m. - but it was worth it, Ms. Hall said.
“This has turned out to be my favorite project for Christmas,” she said. “These guys have fought for us … they did something for me and for our country. They really do deserve this.”
Marcie Davis, a VA volunteer, Temple VA gift shop coordinator and president of the American Legion Auxiliary 11th District, was busy Tuesday making sure everything went smoothly during event.
About 42 volunteers were on hand Tuesday to assist the veterans.
“We have a lot of people come back year after year to help,” Ms. Davis said.
“Everything is free to the veteran,” she said. “They can pick out gifts for their family and then we gift wrap it and mail it.”
Veterans without families may select a gift for themselves, she said.
It’s a two-day event and 350 to 400 veterans will take advantage of the program, Ms. Davis said. Patients on nursing home floors were able to select presents from a mobile gift shop earlier.
American Legion Auxiliaries from throughout Texas support the program by sending gifts, cookies, monies and volunteers to all the VAs in Texas, Ms. Davis said.
Many in the American Legion are involved in making this happen, she said.
“I’ve been involved in this for five years … I’m amazed every year at the dedication of the people,” Ms. Davis said.
The recreation therapy department sets the stage for the event, making sure the room where the event is held is available and includes the required furnishings.
Mickie Prendergast, vice president for the American Legion Auxiliary for Texas, was in Temple on Tuesday to help veterans select gifts. She had visited the Dallas VA on Sunday and would be in Bonham today.
“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I kept saying, ‘I’ve got to go now, but I’ll do one more.’”
The Temple VA has hosted the gift program for more than 40 years and auxiliaries will begin working on next year’s gift shop event in March, Ms. Davis said.
