Rather than sleep in on Saturday – something I always try my best to do but always seem to fail at anyway – I rolled my lazy self out of bed and traveled to the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford for my second effort at Delivering Christmas. While Oxford isn’t officially in my coverage area, I did so as a favor to my co-worker Melissa Stagnaro, who needed a last-minute substitute. I didn’t mind though, since it not only helped her out, it gave me a chance to visit with the friendly staff and the many volunteers who were on hand for the residents’ annual “shopping” spree.
I arrived at the Vets’ Home at precisely 8 a.m., just in time to see a large, approximately 30-foot-long truck pull up to the front door of the new facility. For the next 20 minutes or so, a handful of other early arrivals and I unloaded 30 to 40 large plastic bins. The mood was jovial and good-hearted, and it was inspiring to see so many people, of all age groups, come together for a good cause.
As more and more volunteers began to arrive, we tentatively began getting things set up. There was a measure of barely controlled chaos at the start, but we soon had the bins of gifts grouped by category – men’s, women’s, children’s, couples and family. After that, it was a simple matter of getting everything displayed on the dozen tables arranged around the room.
Now I can’t say for sure, but I would have to guess that approximately 100 members of the 6th District American Legion Family – represented by the American Legion itself, the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary Juniors – were present. I was again amazed to see such a diverse gathering come together for such a great purpose. I’ll admit I was a little confused at first as to what we were actually doing, so I just went with the flow. Eventually, however, NYS Vets’ Home Volunteer Guild President Pat Konopka set me straight.
Every year for the past four decades or so, these dedicated groups of volunteers – which represent Chenango and ten surrounding counties – come together for the veterans and family members of veterans who reside at the Vets’ Home. Konopka explained that for many of the residents, this is their only chance to do their holiday “shopping.” In reality, no money is exchanged, volunteers simply wheel residents around the room and help them to pick out gifts for their families and friends. There’s even a separate wrapping station where residents can receive a helping hand if they wish.
I was astonished at the wide variety of collected gifts, from children’s toys to cosmetics, clothing and everything in between. Later in the afternoon, when the Vets’ Home residents had chosen their allotted four gifts, volunteers were allowed an opportunity to purchase any remaining items, a nice chance to do a little holiday shopping while helping out for a great cause. In addition, a pair of lunches were scheduled for volunteers at the Oxford American Legion, which I thought was a nice way of saying thanks for their efforts.
The best part about the annual event, according to Vets’ Home Activities Director Alan Hopson, is the opportunity it provides for residents, many of whom find shopping to be difficult and survive on a limited income. Hopson added that the yearly gift collection and hand-out is one of the biggest events held at the Oxford Vets’ Home, and said the support they receive from the 6th District American Legion Family is much appreciated.
Personally, I can’t think of a better way to spread some Christmas cheer for our local veterans and their families. Every “Delivering Christmas” I’ve been involved with has been a truly priceless experience, yet I was more than a little moved by this one. Many of these men and women willingly put their lives on the line in defense of our country, and they deserve to be recognized for that. If volunteering to help them enjoy what the Christmas season is all about, even for a couple of hours, does any good at all, then it’s definitely worth the time and effort. In this case, it’s truly better to give than to receive.