For nearly a decade, Calfee Funeral Home has been spreading holiday cheer by supplying Christmas stockings to veterans in need.
“We provide stockings for the public. We have a list of suggested items- personal care items, puzzles, games, cards anything a patient in a hospital or at home could use. We have a list that we use and give out those items with each stocking,” shared President of Calfee Funeral Home Dan Calfee.
In years past, the funeral home has been able to distribute the stockings to the Beckley VA Medical Center.
Due to COVID-related concerns, this year the hospital will be picking the stockings up from the funeral home and will distribute them to veterans as they see fit.
According to Calfee, the hospital is scheduled to pick the stockings up on Dec. 11.
A few items on this year’s list include gloves, winter hats, greeting cards, hand wipes, lotion, deodorant, various snacks and treats, shaving cream, dental floss, note pads, pens, movies and more.
Calfee explained that different organizations, businesses, churches, and individuals throughout the community help provide the items for the stockings and that the number of stockings filled each year depends on how many organizations are willing to participate.
In 2019, 125 stockings were filled and delivered. This year, 175 stockings have already been given out to be filled.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to give back in this way. A lot of times these veterans come home, and they’re forgotten,” Calfee told Lootpress, adding that, according to the VA, the need is significant this year because of COVID.
“Anything we can do to boost their spirit is a worthwhile project. We just try to think of others that are less fortunate than us and think of the situations that they may be in this time of year.”
Anyone interested in donating items for the stockings is welcome and can drop the items off at the Calfee Funeral Home located at 800 S Oakwood Ave in Beckley from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Calfee Funeral Home is a member of Veterans & Family Memorial Care- a nationwide network of more than 800 family-owned funeral homes serving veterans and their families.