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ELKINS -- The local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Association will continue an annual holiday tradition when it distributes Thanksgiving baskets to the less fortunate this month.
Chapter 812 will hold its basket distribution event on Nov. 18 at the Walmart parking lot on the Beverly Five Lane. The organization will begin handing out food items at 9 a.m.
"The local Vietnam Veterans Association has been distributing the Thanksgiving baskets for many years," Elkins American Legion Post 29 commander John Miller told The Inter-Mountain. "We do this for the local veterans and the families of veterans. It's important to us that they have a good meal to eat for the Thanksgiving holiday."
This will mark the 33rd straight year that the organization has distributed the baskets. During that time the Vietnam Veterans Association has given out as many as 273 meals at the event.
"Last year we gave out 100 baskets and we are going to be doing the same again this year," Miller said. "We typically hand all of them out, but if someone doesn't show up to get their basket, we will donate any that we have left to another person or organization."
Miller said the veterans raise money for the event each year by selling Remembrance Poppies. Besides using the funds for the Thanksgiving food baskets, the Vietnam Veterans Association also donates turkeys to the West Virginia Children's Home and Tyrand Ministries.
The Thanksgiving baskets come complete with a turkey and all the side items for a traditional meal including bread, potatoes, gravy, beans, stuffing, cranberries and soda.
"We put enough items in the basket to feed an entire family," said Miller. "It's a nice little basket with everything a family would need for a Thanksgiving dinner. And we get all of our items for the baskets from Shop n Save, who is always very helpful in getting us all the items we need – they have been doing it for years now."
Chapter 812 uses different organizations, including churches and ministers, to locate those in need during the holidays. Veterans and families of veterans can also be added to the basket list by calling Miller at 304-614-6885, or Jake Roberts at 304-630-2288.