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Christmas spirit of giving abounds at Adopt A Vet

Veterans moved by gifts

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Iowa Veterans Home resident Randy Smith, left, peers into a Christmas gift bag at Sunday’s Adopt A Vet event in Malloy Hall Leisure Resource Center while IVH volunteer Bill Rakers looks on. Smith said he was grateful for a pair of pants and other gifts provided by Marshalltown residents and businesses.

If Santa Claus ever wanted to take a Christmas off no doubt the Marshalltown Central Business District volunteers and Iowa Veterans Home staff who coordinate the annual Adopt A Vet program could substitute.

On Sunday night volunteers, staff and more were in action in Malloy Hall on the IVH Veterans campus and busier than Santa himself the day before Christmas.

The team coordinated gift-buying for 285 IVH residents without family or those whose family reside far away.

The gifts ranged from shampoo to clothes to watches.

Regardless of cost, all gift requests were met, courtesy of Marshalltown area residents and businesses.

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Members of the local Restore Church worship team are shown entertaining dozens of attendees Sunday night with Christmas music for the Adopt A Vet program in the IVH Malloy Leisure Resource Center. The team performed popular favorites such as “Jingle Bell Rock” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Jingle Bells.”

“We are grateful to all who bought gifts and to the MCBD committee headed by Erin McGregor, as well as our staff who helped made this event possible,” IVH Commandant Timon Oujiri said.

Bill Backoff of Marshalltown said he and his family purchased several gifts for the veterans and came to witness the festivities.

The gifts were wrapped in traditional Christmas paper or placed in gift bags if they were larger items.

Many residents who received gifts that were delivered by a volunteer or staff member were moved when opening the gifts.

One was Randy Smith who was thrilled to receive a pair of pants.

Refreshments were served and entertainment provided by the local Restore Church.

The event was open to the public and typically attracts hundreds of residents who are looking to honor veterans with holiday festivities.

“Marshalltownians can still donate to the event, though,” McGregor said. “They can donate money for the veterans to use at the canteen on campus.”

Adopt A Vet has been an ongoing Marshalltown tradition since 2001 when it was started by Vic and Gayle Hellberg of Marshalltown. It is now sponsored by the Marshalltown Central Business District.

Residents who asked for a gift but could not attend Sunday night’s program will receive theirs in the immediate future.

For more information contact the CBD at 641-844-2001.

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Contact Mike Donahey

at 641-753-6611 or

mdonaheytimesrepublican.com

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