Veterans throughout the region who are hospitalized or in nursing home care will be getting a special gift bag thanks to the work of the Isaac Hull Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of American Revolution.
Jeannell Charman says this is the sixth year for the program that will distribute 456 gift bags at John Cochran, Jefferson Barracks, Marion, and Anna Veteran hospitals along with veterans who are in nursing homes. assisted living, the hospital, or homebound. Some will also be distributed through meal sites and active-duty soldiers.
Thirty-two DAR members and friends recently gathered to put together the gift bags.
“Actually, we start when we finish the year before. So right now, we have a few things leftovers, gift bags, and some other things. That will be our base for next year. We have a little extra money. That will be our seed money for next year. The next thing is we will send out a thank you letter to the people who did donate this year. Then next year in about July or August, we’ll ask them for a donation again. The bags were going to cost $11. We had a little extra money so we were able to make them $13, so they had a lot of nice things in them.”
Each gift bag contains a puzzle/game book, a Christmas card, a ‘Thank You’ note that lists the donors, a flag pin, an ink pen, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, Halls cough drops, a flashlight, a magnifying glass, a fidget keychain, lip balm, playing cards, tissues, and a pair of heavy-duty military-grade socks. The bags are tied with a green ribbon for men and a pink ribbon for women veterans.
Lap quilts were also sorted for delivery, 39 were donated by the United Methodist Church of Kinmundy quilt guild and eleven by the American Legion Auxiliary. All of the quilts will be delivered in Salem and Centralia.
Charman invites anyone who knows of a local veteran who needs a gift this Christmas to contact her at 618-548-6000. The Chapter will also mail gift bags to local servicemen and servicewomen currently on active duty.
Volunteers with the finished bags for the veterans. Photo by Henry Morton.
