VFW sends holiday care packages to veterans

Nearly two dozen military veterans will be getting a taste of home for Christmas, thanks to a group of VFW Auxiliary members.

Six women and one man gathered at the Wild Horse Plains VFW Post 3596 last week to prepare packages for 20 veterans as part of the Goody Boxes For Service Personnel program. Last Monday, they met to sort the donated items from combs to candy and from socks to caps. And on Friday, they finished the packing, ready to be mailed.

"They had a good variety of things in the boxes and veterans will be able to share them with others in their unit," said Janet Brandon, who has helped with the program for the last five years. Her husband, David, is an Air Force veteran and helped the ladies on Monday. "I love it. It's wonderful that the VFW Auxiliary remembers the troops that are currently serving," said Brandon.

The auxiliary has sent care packages to veterans every year since the Plains post got its charter in 1939, said Nora Verpoorten, who's been a participant since she joined the club in 1985. Nearly two dozen businesses and individuals donated items and money. Town Pump donated $500 and Quinn's Hot Springs Resort donated $400. A man who wanted to remain anonymous donated $100. In all, the group raised $1,925, according to Debbie Ragan, one of the volunteers of the program.

"It shows that we're thinking of them," said Verpoorten. They mailed about 20 packages last year also. Friends and relatives provide the names and addresses to the auxiliary members. Most this year were based in the United States. The farthest recipient went to England. Verpoorten said they sent 60 out one year. Recipients this year included members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

There were about 20 items in each box, which the group planned to mail this week. The vets received local newspapers, candy, wipes, heavy socks, dental floss, and beef jerky to name a few items. In addition, again this year, auxiliary member Cindy Gray collected letters and drawings from Plains Elementary School students.

"Dear soldier, thank you for protecting us. I hope you get home soon because a lot of people are very grateful for you. Thank you for your bravery and kindness. Merry Christmas," wrote fifth-grader Brook. Gray, who has participated in the program for some 15 years, said the drawings were "awesome" with pictures of reindeer, snowmen, candy canes, ornaments, and Christmas trees. "They are beautiful. They're terrific," said Gray, who said they had enough drawings and letters this year for all the packages. "That is the one thing that I get the most positive comments on," she said, adding that some of the letters made tears run down her face.

"To participate in this program was very humbling and I'm extremely proud of the generosity that our community has shown," said Ragan, who participated for the first time last week. Ragan has been with the auxiliary for several years, but a full time job has prevented her from partaking in the program until this year. Linda Barnes and Karen Royse also helped with the packaging.