“On the fourteenth day of Christmas…” holiday giving continues

VA employees and local community members went out of their way to ensure Veteran patients had a happy holiday. Here’s a few more great stories of Christmas at VA medical centers after Santa had left the hangar:

JROTC Cadets caroling for Veteran patients at the Martinsburg VA

Columbia, South Carolina

This time of year can be stressful for most, especially to those in need of food, clothing, and gifts. Columbia VA works to meet the needs of its Veterans throughout the holiday season. To meet the high demand for assistance, the hospital’s department of community relations and engagement relies heavily on assistance from community partners. The results can be seen in the hundreds of cans of food pictured with this blog.

South Texas VA

Maricela Garcia is a social worker with the  Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery program at South Texas VA. She started her day by loading presents into her back seat and delivering them to her patients. The gifts were donated by South Texas VA employees who “adopt” a Veteran through Voluntary Service’s Adopt-A-Vet program. Here’s the full story.

New Orleans leadership gives Veteran patient thumbs up

Martinsburg, West Virginia

Safety restrictions didn’t stop the Berkeley County Air Force JROTC from providing holiday cheer to inpatient Veterans and employees at Martinsburg VA. The public affairs office went virtual – they filmed more than 150 cadets singing carols for a video aired on the local channel for the inpatient Veterans. The cadets and the Veterans were happy to give and receive holiday cheer this year!

Salisbury, North Carolina

Salisbury VA staff distributed gifts to inpatient Veterans at the Community Living Center. The annual event brightens the spirt of both Veterans and staff alike.

Southeast Louisiana VA

Members of the senior leadership team at Southeast Louisiana VA visited inpatient Veterans at the New Orleans medical center. They wished each Veteran happy holidays and a speedy recovery. They presented each Veteran with gifts, including comfortable pajamas.