The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office has endorsed a community-wide effort to recognize and support military veterans for their sacrifice and service this Christmas.
Though Christmas is months away, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department is planning for “Christmas for Veterans 2013” now. Jan James, a retired Emergency Communication Dispatcher for Stanislaus Regional 9-1-1, wrote an emotional letter to the community in search of donations after discovering that many veterans in area retirement homes do not receive any Christmas presents, or visitors during the holiday season.
“Last year I read that often senior Veterans don't have visitors and some get little or nothing for Christmas. This was an emotional jolt for me; after all they served our country so that all of us can enjoy our freedom we owe them more than this,” she wrote.
Christmas for Veterans began last year in Stanislaus County and with more awareness, James hopes to provide more veterans with some of the items they need. James says that many of the veterans were moved to tears last Christmas.
Christmas for Veterans is asking for standard pillow cases, standard pillows, toothpaste, tooth brushes, packages of instant coffee and sugar free hot chocolate, socks, combs, shaving cream, razors, moisturizing body lotion, Christmas ornaments and tags, small bars of moisturizing bath soap, shampoo, stocking hats, backpack pouches for wheelchairs, lap blankets and scarves.
Another plus for veterans would include letters from school children wishing them a wonderful Christmas and giving their thanks for the veteran’s service to our country.
James writes, “this was done last year by Teri Farrell from Lawrence Livermore Lab and the letters were really not only thoughtful but received with such tearful delight we would like to continue this every Christmas. (But please be creative you aren’t restricted to my ideas).”
Christmas for Veterans would like to collect gifts the week after Thanksgiving to allow ample time for distribution.
For more information on how to help Christmas for Veterans, e-mail mjkjames@hotmail.com.
