OXFORD – Two representatives from the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) presented the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford with a $1,350 check Thursday for engraving two deceased veteran’s names on the Home’s Giving Tree.

The Giving Tree was donated to the NYS Veterans’ Home a few years ago by former SAL Detachment Commander Thomas Smallcomb. The tree honors the memory of veterans who have lived in the Home and the donations generated are all used for the benefit of the current residents.

“I saw it as a way to help and honor veterans,” said Smallcomb, who was present for the check passing. Smallcomb said he was inspired by Lourdes Hospital which has a similar memorial tree. Subsequently, he raised the money for the project and donated $13,475 to make his vision of a The Giving Tree into a reality.

“Hopefully I will live long enough to see it filled,” he said.

The money donated Thursday was raised by SAL District 6 Commander Richard L. Hodge, whose two year project as commander has been to fill as many of The Giving Tree’s leaves with veterans’ names. This time Hodge was able to purchase two leaves for deceased veterans Neil Howard Bennett and Robert L. Jeffrey.