MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- During Christmas time, families gather and gifts are exchanged under the luminescence of a brightly-lit Christmas tree and near the warmth of a crackling fire. However, there are some people who do not have family close enough to share these experiences with during this special time of the year - or any time at all.
In an effort to bring a bit of Christmas spirit to them, members of the Phyllis Alexander Chapter of the Women Marines Association took up a candy collection from members of AmVets Post 70 on Ribaut Road. They put together decorative candy boxes and wrapped gifts for veterans in the nursing wing of the Ralph Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, which were presented to them in a visit Saturday.
The gifts and candy were not only a welcomed treat for the veterans, but also a rewarding experience for the women as well.
"I think it's great ... I just like doing things like this because I don't want anybody in a hospital, or anywhere like that, forgotten," said Brenda Moore, president of the Phyllis Alexander Chapter. "I think it's hard for everybody at the holidays because they're away from their friends, their family, and they just can't come and visit whenever they want. I think they feel forgotten sometimes."
Moore and the other volunteers who took time out of their day to put together the gifts proved that the veterans were not forgotten - at least not to them.
"It's a small gesture, but we hope it's a heart-warming gesture that they'll appreciate," said Moore, as she loaded boxes with sugar-free candy varieties for the diabetic patients. "I don't think we can ever do enough for the veterans."
Another volunteer put forth a lot of her own money and time, buying festive ceramic cottages for each of the veterans and wrapping each gift.
"We just all wanted them to have some kind of decoration," said Kathie Born, the volunteer who bought and wrapped the gifts. "I'm sure some of their families decorated their rooms like the Hilton, but some of them don't have families at all. I figured this is my way to repay them for what they have done for my life and my family."
Members of the Phyllis Alexander Chapter try to visit the veterans at the hospital at least once a month, to bring them a few smiles, share laughs and brighten their day. According to Priest, this particular visit was especially meaningful for the women, as well as the veterans.
"We had a great time, and they loved their gifts - it really worked out well," said Priest. "I saw more smiles Saturday than I've ever seen any other time I've been there."