VA Boston Healthcare System

When members of the Hispanic Special Emphasis Program (Hispanic SEP) at VA Boston Healthcare System looked beyond the walls of our facility, they saw a need in Veterans in the community who have been subjected to difficult times this Holiday Season. In order to fulfill that need, the group held a holiday celebration and “shopping day” for homeless and low income Veterans and their families at the Jamaica Plain campus.

The “group”, Donna Cleckley, Zena Fernandes, and E. Michelle Howard got busy planning.   “When Zena (Hispanic SEP member) came up with the idea for the event, we just rolled up our sleeves and contacted everyone we could think of to help out the Veteran families who are less fortunate,” Hispanic SEP member, Donna Cleckley said. A member of the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn outreach team and Stand Down Committee at VABHS, Cleckley reached out to employees, community members and others to donate supplies and toys for the holiday event.  In addition, a group from Lincoln Technical Institute volunteered to help the day of the event.

The group also teamed up with staff of HUD-VASH, our program that assists homeless Veterans with obtaining housing, to reach out to the struggling Veterans across the city. Through email, phone calls and word of mouth, the group was able to reach many Veterans and families in the community who could use a little help this year.  “It was a long process, but it was worth it, especially seeing the volunteers enjoying themselves with the families,” Hispanic SEP member, E. Michelle Howard said.

As the children took pictures with Santa Claus, and participated in arts and crafts with volunteers, adults filled shopping bags with everyday utensils and canned goods. They chose gifts from tables overflowing with toys, and VA Boston staff and volunteers wrapped each gift to help bring in the holiday cheer.

“This is great, I’m in financial trouble,” Marine Corps. and Army Veteran, Ray P. said.  Sheila Johnston, a Lincoln Tech. student, colored a picture of Santa Claus with Ray’s 2-year-old granddaughter.  “Veterans gave to us, so I just want to be able to give back to them,” Johnston said.

An Army National Guard Veteran, Lauren D. cares for her 9-year-old daughter on her own and appreciates that this event gives her daughter the opportunity to interact with other children.  “I’m a single parent, so she doesn’t have a lot of kids to play with. It’s good that she can come here and interact with other children,” Lauren said.

Lincoln Tech. student Sasha Duenas can relate to the tough times that some Veterans are facing. Caring for her 11-month-old son can be a struggle for her.   “There are a lot of people out there who don’t have a lot. It feels good to go home with a smile knowing I helped kids who needed,” Duenas said.

For other volunteers, participating in this event helped push them into the holiday spirit.  “It means a lot to me, there are people out there who don’t have as much,” Kristin Bansfield said. “It actually put me in the Christmas spirit.”

Members of the Hispanic SEP appreciate everyone who contributed to the celebration and hopes it transcends into an annual tradition. “This project in general is a great service that I believe every Veteran and Veteran family should be a part of. I wanted to make sure that this Christmas and every Christmas afterwards would mean more to the Veterans and their families,” Hispanic SEP member, Zena Fernandes said.

The giving did not stop with Veterans and their families, any extra toys were donated to the Italian Home for Children and The Home for Little Wanderers. 

 

By Kassmin Williams, Public Affairs Intern