Chapter 284 does "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 motor coach trips to a casino, some small raffles; we sell lottery
tickets four times a year, and with the help from donations.