Remembering veterans during the holidays
From the e-mail box:
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley urges North Carolinians to remember our veterans this holiday season, especially residents in N.C. State Veterans Nursing Homes. One way to do this is to send cards, wish-list gifts or monetary donations to benefit residents.“We must not forget the contributions made by our veterans to protect our country,” Easley said. “Especially at this time of year, we should do all we can to let them know how grateful we are for their dedication and sacrifice.”
Citizens, organizations and businesses can send cards and make holiday donations to provide cheer to residents at the state veterans nursing homes in Fayetteville and Salisbury. A monetary contribution will be used to give a resident a gift personally selected for them by staff. Contributions received through the nonprofit Friends of the N.C. State Veterans Homes are tax deductible.
Contributions can be made to Friends of the N.C. State Veterans Homes and should be addressed to Holiday Cheer, c/o James Woodard, N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1315. Donations may be accompanied by a signed card or given anonymously.
In addition to cards and monetary contributions, there are other wish-list items for the nursing homes, including new videos, DVDs and games. For details, call Woodard at 919/733-3851 or visit www.doa.state.nc.us/vets/va.htm.
The Division of Veterans Affairs in the N.C. Department of Administration administers the 150-bed Fayetteville facility, which opened its doors in 1999, and the 99-bed Salisbury facility, which admitted its first residents in 2004. Wartime veterans receive priority in admission.