A room inside the domiciliary had the look of Santa’s workshop. A decorated Christmas tree anchored one end of the room with rows of tables covered with gift items in the center.
The gifts were varied, ranging from flannel shirts, socks and sweaters, to remote control cars, My Little Pony dolls, waffle irons, cologne and necklaces.
Each year hospitalized veterans are given the opportunity to select gifts for their families.
The recreational therapy department gets everything in place and members of American Legion Auxiliary units in the area take over coordinating the gift purchases and signing up volunteers to work at the event - helping the veterans make gift selections, while other volunteers wrap and post the packages.
Marcie Davis, gift shop coordinator and 11th district president for the American Legion Auxiliary, said there are 52 American Legion posts and units that help put on the Temple event by making monetary donations and sending volunteers.
With money in hand the shopping began earlier in the year, with volunteers hitting Temple stores selecting a wide assortment of gifts, Davis said.
“Some of the units will bring in gifts today and that’s fine,” she said. “They also bring cookies, coffee and punch. The goodies will be put out for the veterans and volunteers to enjoy over the next two days.”
Faye Johnson of Round Rock and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary unit 447 has been volunteering at the Temple VA Christmas event since 1974.
The first year she brought her 4-year-old granddaughter and pulled her around the room in a wagon, Johnson said.
“She’s 34 now, and her daughters are now members of my auxiliary unit,” she said.
At least 357 veterans will be selecting gifts in Temple over the next couple of days, said Bobby Zimmerman, domiciliary administrative officer.
This Christmas program began in 1928 in Kerrville and is now nationwide, he said.
Donald Bulson, a domiciliary resident for three years, was selecting gifts for his two sisters, Judy in Virginia and Terry in New York.
Bulson served in the Marines for three years working in mechanics and transportation.
The veterans are also allowed to select a gift for themselves.
Bulson chose a brown insulated jacket for himself and omelet makers for his sisters.
Robert Reardon was shopping for a sister and two nieces.
He chose a doll for the 13-year-old’s collection and a CD player for the 15-year-old. His sister will receive Vanilla Fields cologne and body lotion.
Reardon served three years in the Army, two of those in Vietnam.
As the veterans leave, they can select Christmas cards to be sent to loved ones.
On Monday, Johnson said she spent the whole day collecting items to bring to Temple.
“I tell people, when you come here you know it’s Christmas,” she said.
