It is that time of year once again…. Christmas time. The American Legion Auxiliary is once again asking for your support in making a veteran’s Christmas a little more cheery. The Santa Fund is in need of donations. Each and every hospitalized veterans receives a gift. These gifts cost is $5.00 per patient. The American Legion provides $3.00 of this cost. The American Legion Auxiliary contributes $2.00. Along with this small token, a poinsettia is also given.
In this economic situation, the fund is in need of monetary donations. The Santa Fund and the many veterans that benefit are asking for Units to respond in kind. Please check your budgets, any amount – no matter how big or small, will be very much appreciated. The Unit’s Poppy Funds may be used for this cause.
The Holiday Hospital Tour has been set. The dates will go from December 3rd until December 9th, 2010. Our Department President Bev and VA&R Chairman BJ are urging, if you have free time to please join them in this Christmas celebration of thanks. It is a splendid and enjoyable time to not only offer the small gift but also to say “Thank you for serving our country.” Receiving is done on both sides, veterans and visitor. Many stories are shared and history learned. It is a time to stop all the hustle and bustle of the season and to give something back to our soildiers and sailors who gave so much for us. It is a time to say “thank you and you were not forgotten” during this special season. The veterans may obtain a present but the visitors receive so much more by hearing the gratitude in the veteran’s words.
The Santa Form can be viewed/printed here.
The Christmas Hospital Tour may be printed here.
| Friday | December 2, 2011 | |
| Southwest State Veterans Home | 12:00 pm | |
| Highland Drive VAMC | 2:30 pm | |
| Oakland VAMC | 6:00 pm | |
| Saturday | December 5, 2011 | |
| H.J. Heinz III Progressive Care Center | 9:00 am | |
| Butler VAMC | 12:30 pm | |
| Sunday | December 4, 2011 | |
| Pennsylvania Soldiers & Sailors Home | 10:00 am | |
| Erie VAMC | 1:00 pm | |
| Monday | December 5, 2011 | |
| Hollidaysburg State Veterans Home | 10:00 am | |
| Altoona VAMC | 2:00 pm | |
| Tuesday | December 6, 2011 | |
| Wilkes-Barre VAMC | 8:00 am | |
| Gino J. Merli State Veterans Home | 10:00 am | |
| Lebanon VAMC | 2:30 pm | |
| Wednesday | December 7, 2011 | |
| Philadelphia VAMC | 10:30 am | |
| Delaware Valley Veterans Home | 3:30 pm | |
| Thursday | December 8, 2011 | |
| Southeast State Veterans Home | 10:00 am | |
| Coatsville VAMC | 1:30 pm |
“Christmas Party for Veterans Children and Grandchildren”
Members of the Sons Of The American Legion Squadron # 131 of Lock Haven and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #131 members of Lock Haven sponsored a Christmas party for Veterans children and grandchildren. 72 children were registered for the Christmas party and each one of the children received food treats, homemade cookies, fruit, candy and their own personal gift, presented to them by Santa Claus.
Bikes were given to three different age groups and a small riding turtle was given for 0-2 year old group.A bundle of games was raffled off, also.Winners were Game raffle-Megan Heverly; 0-2 Turtle winner-Christopher Mincer; 3-6 bike winner-Gavin Bowmaster; 7-9 bike winner-Sarah Probst; 10-12 bike winner-Blake Rhine.
Santa [Mr. Troup], Darlene McBurnie- Pres., Retired Msgt Stanley Kwasny Jr., Doris Menia-Sec./Treas.
The December 5th Parade in Charleroi was exciting as everyone waved to Santa as he was escorted by police and the Color Guard from American Legion Post 22 to the Elks for his annual stop. The children waited in line patiently for a picture with Santa, to write their “wish lists”, and to eat lunch. Upon entering the Elks, they were greeted by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 22 officers, retired Master Sergeant Stanley Kwasny Jr. and two large Soldier figures at a military table dedicated to our deployed Veterans.
The children wrote over 74 “thank-you” messages on note cards for our Troops and even those unable to write, drew pictures or printed their names to wish them a Merry Christmas. Girl Scout Troop 54085 brought 25 “handmade” Christmas cards for our Troops and we received several cards from the Super Stars , a Brownie Troop, and $7 cash to help Auxiliary Unit 22 send more deployment bags to our Veterans.
This event was a great success and Daneen Troop of TeamCharleroi, Councilman Nancy Ellis, and Carol Claybaugh of Super Stars are to be commended. The Charleroi Elks graciously hosted this event and Santa may bring all of them something special this year.
