Members from five chapters in District XIV, joined with over a dozen other service organizations in bringing some Christmas cheer to the patients at the Veterans Hospital in La Jolla. Local units of the VFW supplied 250 backpacks which the groups filled with blankets, knitted caps, socks, playing cards, Bose headphones, granola bars, Chapstick, tissues, toiletries, puzzle books, juice drinks and snacks.

After filling the backpacks the groups spread out and delivered them to the patients. This is the fourth year for this mid-December project. It was instituted by Donna Fischer, Chief, Volunteer Service, VA San Diego Health Care System, when she transferred to La Jolla from Florida. The veterans at the Florida VA had enjoyed it so much so why not give it a try in San Diego?

Chapters supplied 250 of whatever they chose to bring:  De Anza brought 250 decks of cards; SMC-250 granola bars & 250 juice drinks; Linares-250 pocket tissues, 250 Chapstick, etc. Christmas carols and camaraderie of like-minded groups left all with a sense of ‘wait until next year’.

Photo L to R: Wanda Prosser, Santa Margarita Chapter; Jan Quigley, Rancho Buena Vista; Jennifer Smith, Linares; Donna Fischer, VA; Margaret Palmer, Linares; Peggy Shaffer, Monserate; Julie Sarno and Julie Sanderson, De Anza.