Making Christmas the merriest for veterans & their families


O


ne of the most meaningful gifts you can give this holiday season is spending time with veterans. Below are some ideas you can try in


t Have a holiday lunch or dinner for the veteran and his or her family. Provide them with information on Auxiliary programs, including Veterans & Family Support, and share how we can help and support them even more.


your communities.


t Visit veterans in the hospital and provide them with care packages—paper and pencil to write to their families; goodies such as granola bars or cookies from a cookie-decorating night (make sure they can eat these items); water; socks for the winter and hats or caps. Often there are veterans who are either hospitalized or living in residential centers without anyone to keep them company over the holidays.


t Offer to hang Christmas lights or help decorate a veteran’s house.


t Have children from elementary through high school write letters and sign cards thanking veterans for their service. Students can visit with veterans at hospitals, become pen pals or invite them to their school.


t Adopt a Family Readiness Group and host a hot chocolate party.


t Visit and volunteer at shelters for the homeless. Help feed those in need and also collect blankets, hats, socks and gloves and deliver them to the shelters or other organizations that could use these items for veterans.


t Go caroling at a veterans’ home or to the homes of those you know can’t get out.


November 2016 | 15


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