Now that Thanksgiving is over, the countdown for the number of shopping days left until Christmas is well on its way. It is wonderful to experience the excitement surrounding the holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s, and it provides us with a great opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. Before Thanksgiving becomes too much of a memory, however, I hope that the upcoming holiday season will also be a time when we reflect on the many wonderful blessings and gifts that we have been given and look for ways in which we can increase our giving to others.
Thanks to the efforts of Bob Crawford and Jim McCann who organized our Veterans’ Day Buddy Poppy distribution, our Post collected a record amount of donations from a very generous Edmonds community. At last count, over $11,500 has been deposited into the Post relief fund. Our thanks go out to each member who volunteered their time to stand out in the cold to greet the public and place a Poppy in their hands.
Several years ago, the Relief Fund Committee made a concerted effort identify local area veterans and active duty personnel who needed assistance. I am delighted to report that our successful Buddy Poppy fund raising effort has permitted the Post to increase our assistance at the local level as well as permitting us to continue to support worthwhile nation-wide efforts. For this holiday season, VFW Post # 8870 has supported the following local area programs:
- $1000 each, in gift cards, to the residents of the Veterans Homes in Retsil and Orting;
- $500 each, in gift cards, to the Chaplain’s Offices at Naval Station Everett, Joint Base Lewis McChord, and Coast Guard District 4200;
- $500 to the VA Puget Sound Health Care System for hospitalized veterans and active duty personnel;
- $1000 to Santa’s Castle for gifts to children of active duty personnel in financial need;
- $1000 Sea-Tac USO; and
- $1000 to Fisher House.
Our sincerest thanks go out to all members of our Post who, through your generous support, have permitted us to make the holiday season a little brighter for those veterans and active duty personnel who are in need of assistance.
Hanukkah and Christmas Blessings to you all.