Pocono News Section

Red Cross Helps Make Holidays Cheerful for Veterans

Red Cross Helps Make Holidays Cheerful for Veterans - Monday, December 7, 2009 at 5:33PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Dec 7, 2009 @ 05:33pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - The American Red Cross from Lackawanna County is helping to spread holiday cheer to veterans at the Gino Merli Veterans Center in Scranton. They are helping out at this year's holiday parties and have brought along some special gifts.

This year is the fourth year that holiday parties have been held for veterans.

"It means a lot. It means an awful lot. It means that people care," Korean War veteran Vincent Michaels said.

For the first time this year, each veteran is walking away with a bagful of presents from the Red Cross. Each veteran got a sweatshirt, sweatpants, a T-shirt and a blanket. Student volunteers from North Pocono High School helped put the bags together.

"It makes me feel really good. They're out there supporting our country and all they've done for us. It just feels good to help out," junior Briana Spitzer said.

Students from Valley View High School also helped out. They just established a Red Cross club.

"It's a fun experience. I'm gonna stick with it and I'll probably be in the club for the rest of high school," freshman Robert Speicher said.

"It's really great when you go out and do these things and helping out veterans, who really earn a lot of respect in the community to be able to help them. It's a good feeling," sophomore Mike Galantini said.

For the veterans it's also a good feeling...they know someone is thinking of them this holiday season.

"I always like gifts. We always like gifts and they always bring gifts," World War II veteran Sylvester Shillea said.

Similiar holiday celebrations will take place all week at the Gino Merli Veterans Center. The Red Cross is helping to pay for all the gifts with the help of a $45,000 grant.