Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

TUCSON -The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is hosting the American Legion Auxiliary and their annual "Holiday Gift Shop" today.

The Gift Shop Ribbon Cutting took place at 9 a.m. this morning in the R. E. Lindsey Jr. Auditorium. This year's Gift Shop will run up to Friday, November 30. The ALA sponsors a "Holiday Gift Shop" each year in Veterans' Medical Centers across the nation. The program is limited for inpatients assigned at the medical center.

Kathleen Medalen, State Auxiliary Department President, Gail Piggott, ALA Department Chairman for the Tucson Gift Shop, and ALA volunteers will all be present.

Ambulatory patients will be escorted to the R. E. Lindsey Auditorium by ALA volunteers and staff. Non-ambulatory patients will be visited by mobile gift shop carts.

Hospitalized Veterans are provided with cash and material donations from Auxiliary Units. They are then able to pick out holiday gifts free of charge for themselves and their families. The gifts are wrapped in holiday paper, and mailed out, if necessary, without any cost to the Veterans.

In 2011, 180 Veterans and 227 family members at SAVAHCS received gifts to brighten their holidays.
For further information on the American Legion Auxiliary and volunteering at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, contact the Voluntary Service Office at (520) 692-1822.