In a year that has been full of fear, sadness, and questions of what the future holds, the South Florida Red Cross is determined to not let the pandemic stand in their way of the annual Holiday for Heroes Campaign. Every year, the campaign provides the community an opportunity to send messages of thanks and holiday cheer to military members and local area veterans that are in hospitals or nursing homes for the holidays.
“As someone who has been on the receiving end of a similar care package during a combat deployment, I can tell you, this may be the most appreciated gift you give this Holiday Season,” said Heidi O’Sheehan, Service to the Armed Forces Director for the South Florida Red Cross.
These items and messages are graciously donated by the community and placed inside holiday stockings hand-sewn by volunteers. For more than 10 years, South Florida Red Cross volunteers have cut and sewn hundreds of stockings in what started in the Naples and Fort Myers area but has spread throughout the entire region.
The Red Cross, with lead partner Arthrex, Inc. and other sponsors will assemble and deliver these stuffed holiday stockings for military members and local area veterans who are away from their families during the holidays.
“There was some talk during COVID that maybe we should just cancel this for this year, but my personal feeling is that maybe it’s even more important this year than normal," said O’Sheehan.
Lead volunteers, Helga Schoennagel and DJ Johnson-Hubbard wouldn’t let COVID-19 stop them either. In order to keep the campaign going this year, it was extremely important to keep the volunteers safe and were required to wear proper personal protective equipment while sewing the stockings. “Everything changed, we had to sew differently. We had to literally ask the women to sew with a mask on and gloves,” said Johnson-Hubbard.
This year, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the usual drop-off locations have been transitioned to an online gift registry. Using the registry, the community can purchase requested items for direct shipment to the South Florida Red Cross distribution team.
“Our service members are not only dealing with deployments to foreign lands and being away from home and family but now have the added worry of COVID on top of it. Our veterans in hospitals and nursing homes are also separated from loved ones, in many cases not being allowed any in-person visits. Just think of that service member or that veteran receiving this care package and messages of gratitude and support. I know it will mean the world to them, it’s the least we can do to say thank you for your service and sacrifice, we appreciate you and remember you,” said O’Sheehan.
To learn more about Holiday for Heroes and for a full list of donation items, please visit redcross.org/holidayforheroes.
Written by Siara Campbell