In the heart of the holiday season, an annual event stands out at the Sonny Montgomery VA, not just for its festive cheer but for the gesture of gratitude it extends toward those who have served our nation—the Christmas Shoppe for Veterans.
Now in its 12th year, the event is more than just a shopping spree — it’s a heartfelt acknowledgment of the sacrifices and services rendered by veterans.
The event is coordinated by Chandra D’Avy and Mahalia Wright, chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement, and supported by the generosity of the community. All items are donations, gathered to ensure a wide variety of choices for the facility’s veterans.
Every item is free for inpatient veterans, making it possible for them to select gifts for their loved ones without any financial burden.
The Christmas Shoppe is for veterans from various groups, including the Community Living Center, State Nursing Facility, Mental Health programs focusing on at-risk veterans, Harbor House and even homebound veterans.
“The joy and gratitude in the eyes of our veterans as they picked out gifts was a moving reminder of the true meaning of Christmas,” said Wright. “It’s about giving, sharing and remembering those who have given so much for our freedom.”
Each gift, picked with care and consideration, is wrapped with precision and love by a team of dedicated volunteers.
The Christmas Shoppe stands as a beacon of hope and gratitude, illuminating the true spirit of the holiday season, one of giving, sharing and honoring those who have given so much.
The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VAMC and the Columbus, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Kosciusko, McComb, Meridian and Natchez VA Clinics are all part of the VA Jackson Health Care System, which is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, and provides a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 54,000 veterans.