By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Dozens of colorfully wrapped Christmas gifts took up virtually every inch of space on tables on the front lawn of VFW Post 1963.
Patti Lloyd, president of Post 1963’s Auxiliary, didn’t know exactly how many gifts there were, but said they represented more than $10,000 in donations made by the local community on behalf of residents of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland.
For the third year in a row, the Sea Isle City-based Post 1963 and its Auxiliary organized a “Christmas Caravan” to deliver gifts to Vineland as a gesture of appreciation to the veterans who live at the Memorial Home.
The gifts helped to spread some Christmas cheer among the Memorial Home’s 300 veterans, many of whom have only a few or no family members. As an extra gesture, the caravan also delivered more than 1,300 holiday cards signed by students at eight schools in Cape May and Atlantic counties.
“The VFW Auxiliary, together with our post and the local community of Sea Isle City, strive to serve our veterans. Our mission is to serve our veterans. We’re going to do that today and wish them a merry Christmas,” Patti Lloyd said.
Mark Lloyd, Patti’s husband and the commander of Post 1963, said the dozens of gifts reflected the “unbelievable generosity” of many donors throughout Sea Isle and Cape May County.
“The Auxiliary and the residents of Sea Isle City and Cape May County recognize the importance of veterans. At this time of year, it’s the least we can do to brighten their holiday,” Mark Lloyd said.
Post 1963 and the Auxiliary previously would bring 15 to 20 veterans from the Memorial Home to Sea Isle for a Christmas celebration. But three years ago, they started the Christmas Caravan so that all 300 veterans at the Memorial Home would receive gifts, Patti Lloyd explained.
“Tears from them. Tears from us. Tears from everyone,” Patti Lloyd said of the emotional reaction that accompanies the gift-giving each year.
Altogether, more than 1,000 man hours were invested in the gift drive, she noted. The Auxiliary accepted donations of pre-packaged snacks, arts and crafts supplies, adult coloring books, jigsaw puzzles, comfortable loungewear, bedroom slippers, socks, pajamas, toiletries, batteries and other items.
Dan Deegan, a Sea Isle resident and member of Post 1963, was among the volunteers who helped load the gifts into trucks for the trip to Vineland.
“I was happy to see so many packages,” Deegan said. “The vets deserve everything we can give them for all they did for us.”
Shortly before the caravan left from Sea Isle, Mayor Leonard Desiderio said the gift-giving was sure to put “many, many smiles” on the faces of the veterans at the Memorial Home.
Desiderio also praised the members of Post 1963 and the Auxiliary for their efforts to recognize the sacrifices and bravery of so many veterans who have served their country.
“You have shown that you are truly a treasure,” he said to them. “You go beyond the call of duty.”
Accompanied by a Sea Isle Police Department escort, the caravan of trucks and cars pulled out from the Post 1963 headquarters in Sea Isle on Friday morning headed for Vineland.
“Ho-Ho-Ho!” Santa Claus exclaimed while riding in one of the trucks.
Once the caravan arrived in Vineland, it was escorted to the Memorial Home by a convoy of Vineland’s police vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances.
