Tis the Season We’re glad to help!
Tis a busy time of year with lots of shopping, baking, Christmas festivals and caroling. It is also time to think of those that may need a little cheer in their life. Once again the Paragon Optimist Club has sent decorated Christmas cards to the Veterans at the Veterans Hospital in Cincinnati. At a club meeting we wrote a cheerful message, signed and decorated 356 Christmas cards. It was a wonderful time listening to music and remembering those that have served.
This year we are also happy that we could provided Christmas gifts to various local families, and that we had the time to place wreaths on those that served our country.
Pat B
A Card Can Do So Much!
Boxes and boxes of cards surrounded by stickers, stamps and pens…holiday music is playing and all I need now is my friends, Paragon members, to arrive!
“They’re singing “Deck The Halls”
But it’s not like Christmas at all
’Cause I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year”
I remember watching a holiday movie where a soldier, who had no family, was given a Christmas card. The card sender wrote a letter inside the card so touching the soldier decided he wanted to meet this person. The movie goes on with various middle content that makes your heart sink once the soldier and card writer fall in love. By no means am I looking for another love but I do want to pass on holiday cheer and compassion, which is why when my son, Mark’s schoolmate started organizing people to sign cards for soldiers and veterans I jumped right in to assist. During the events there’s holiday music playing, lots of food, good moods, and new people to meet, which all creates wonder memories.
“Pretty lights on the tree
I’m watching them shine
You should be here with me
Baby please come home”
With all the merriment and cheer I experienced at those events I decided to involve the Paragon Optimist Club. After our meeting a few weeks ago we set to work writing notes, signing, and decorating cards. It was interesting to watch the dynamics of those involve. Everyone picked a job and one member found funny Christmas jokes to share. There was so much laughter that you could not hear the Christmas music in the background!
“If there was a way
I’d hold back this tear
….”
In total there were 261 cards signed!
These cards will be given to soldiers on active duty, and Veteran hospitals. Hopefully this will bring a moment of cheer that lets them know we are thinking of them. It was easy to provide care packages when we saw picture of fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places. We need to keep up the support all the time.
Pat B