Chapter 284 has a program called Operation Christmas” for veterans’ needy children and veterans which includes the homeless and nursing home residents, also the children in the Detention Center of St. Clair County.
We buy two outfits, p.j.'s, underwear, socks, shoes or boots and two toys for each child.
Among the items for the homeless and veterans in the nursing homes we give them clothing, coats, blankets, lap blankets, and personal hygiene items.
For the children in the Detention Center we spend about 3 hours there on the Friday (and Saturday if there are quite a few and we have to split them into two groups) before Christmas having a "Christmas Pizza Party." We take a Christmas movie for them to watch, candy, pizza, pop and also a small gift, which is usually a hairbrush and crossword book for the girls and for the boys we took knit hats and a crossword book.
We earn our money during the year by holding two overnight motorcoach trips to a casino, some small raffles; we sell lottery tickets four times a year, and with the help from donations.
