More pictures | 2nd article: Auxiliarists Collect “Toys For Tots”
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| Left to Right are Auxiliarists Clyde Reynolds, Fl 44, Frank Rocap, Fl 49 and Linda Skvarla, Fl 44. Seated in front is “Jimmy,” a former Marine. |
On December 7, 2008, four of Santa’s elves went to visit the Coatesville Veterans Administration Medical Center Nursing Home Unit 138A. However, these four elves were not wearing “green and red” but were wearing their “Service Dress Blue” uniforms. These elves were members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Loaded with special treats Auxiliarists M. Goodwin and F. Rocap, Flotilla 49 West Chester, PA, and C. Reynolds and L. Skvarla, Flotilla 44 Phoenixville, PA, visited the 38 nursing home and 12 hospice veterans. They brought cookies and sugar-free candies, but most of all we were able to muster up $300 worth of toiletries and an electric hair trimmer thanks to the four Auxiliarists who purchased items out-of-pocket and some local pharmacies that assisted in the project.
The smiles on the veterans’ and caregivers’ faces were “like seeing Christmas for the first time!” Each veteran could not thank us enough for coming. They were so grateful and amazed at what we had brought them!
We spoke to every veteran there. The caregivers for these men and women who served our country so well are amazing. They love every patient there and take pride in what they are doing for them. In fact, when items are low, these wonderful caregivers have been known to purchase needed items out of their own pockets. The Auxiliarists assured the veterans in Unit 138A that we will never forget them and that we will be back to see them again.
The weather outside was frightful a few weeks later due to heavy and freezing rain, but Santa ("always ready") came to visit the veterans at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, PA wearing his Type V inflatable life jacket along with a USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 44 (Phoenixville, PA) escort.
Thanks to generous donations from the Auxiliarists of Flotillas
44, 49 and others, Santa brought with him 350 pairs of socks and 22 pairs of
sweat pants for the veterans.
To quote the famous Christmas story, “Upon walking into the nursing home, there
arose such a clatter,” all the veterans sprang from their beds to see what was
the matter!
The three (four including Santa) members of Flotilla 44, Auxiliarists D. Desimone, L. Skvarla, K. Solntzeff and “Santa” took time to visit each veteran on the second and fourth floor. Needless to say, they were very surprised to see Santa and his “seafaring elves!”
The visit brought much joy to these men and women, and also to
Santa and his escorts! As we were leaving the Southeastern Veterans Center,
the “littlest seafaring elf” was heard as she turned and waved back to the smiling
and waving veterans, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Flotilla 44 and 49 working together is why these endeavors were so successful.
Both flotillas embraced the true meaning of “Team Coast Guard” to make this
Christmas a little brighter for our veterans. They all deserve a thank you and
a job well done!
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Auxiliarists Collect “Toys For Tots”
Article and photos by Amy Lyn Lesher, Flotilla 49, D5-NR, West
Chester, PA
On December 10, 2008, Auxiliarists of Flotilla 49, D5-NR, West Chester, PA, braved a day of pouring rain to collect toys for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program outside a Walmart store in Kennett Square, PA. Auxiliarist Mike Goodwin, who organized the event, served with the Marines several times as a U.S. Navy Corpsman, Flotilla Commander Tom Dever and Vice Commander Ken Enochs assisted with the collection.
The generosity of the shoppers astonished Auxiliarist Goodwin
who collected toys for the program for the past 17 years. Over 300 toys were
collected in only eight hours. With the addition of toys purchased from cash
donations, a total of 370 toys were delivered to the Marines for distribution.
“This was the largest single-day toy collection for the area,” stated Marine
SSGT Chartfils, local program coordinator. A certificate of appreciation was
given to Flotilla 49 in recognition of their efforts.
~IJLA