Operation VET-MAS takes place at Veteran’s home

Arizona State Veterans Home hosts first-ever Chirstmas giving event

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - With over 100 gifts under the tree and counting, veterans are feeling grateful.

"I'm thankful for this lady...because she bought this sweater. She bought one for me," Bob Shellenberg, a Veteran, praised.

Donors, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Arizona Patriots Guard (APG) Riders, brought plenty of gifts and Christmas decorations for Operation VET-MAS.

For further context, Operation VET-MAS is a gift-giving event for those who served, from the community to the disabled. 

"The 30 bikes that showed up, and the community support, this the kind of thing that represents Christmas and the holidays. This is what we're here for," VFW Treasurer Kidd Ritchie spoke.

Ritchie knows the hardship of service life and is also happy that each Veteran at the Arizona State Veterans Home is getting the holiday season they deserve.

"I myself am a veteran...I have a great community when I go into a veterans home one day."

As of now, there are 20 Veterans that reside at the home.

The APG Riders were also instrumental in the donation process as they drove from Phoenix to bring 130 gifts alone.

"The [APG] Riders have a program called You-Tide for Heroes, where we donate gifts and food as needed for our veterans, first responders, and law enforcement over the holidays," Bill Wooster, Captain for the Arizona Patriots Guard Riders disclosed.

Gifts ranged from tree ornaments to clothing and much more.

This is the first event that the Arizona State Veterans Home has hosted since Veterans Day.

The grand opening occurred back in October and what a success it was.