Bringing joy to veterans in need

Holiday parties with tables full of hearty food and sweet treats; Christmas trees heavy with tinsel and surrounded by gifts festooned with bows; lights strung across the porch to light the way to festive gatherings of family and friends: These are common sights during this season.

But what about those who are hospitalized at the holidays? What about our veterans who are healing from fresh war wounds or suffering from wounds inflicted in long-ago wars?  Who brings them joy and happiness at what is supposed to be the “happiest time of the year?”

In Milwaukee, a small band of elves ensures the veterans confined to the Clement Zablocki VA Hospital have just as happy a holiday as many of us will enjoy by hosting  a special party for them each year.

Jeff “Doc” Dentice is a Vietnam vet who says he will keep bringing Christmas to his fellow veterans as long as he can. To that effort, Dentice is seeking donations of cash, food and gifts for up to 300 veterans who will attend the party.

He is looking for items like new hand held electronic games with batteries, new board games and DVDs to give as gifts.  And like most people, the vets also appreciate cash as a present.

“Cash will help with the Bingo prizes,” Dentice said. “The vets sure love that alot. They get to spend that in the px or cafeteria at the hospital.”

Dentice is also looking for donations of fruit — up to 12 dozen oranges or apples are greatly needed — along with party snacks like cookies, cakes, kringles, cheese and sausage trays, crackers and drinks.

The annual party, in its 22nd year,  is open only to the hospitalized veterans currently at Zablocki, so organizers won’t release the details of the entertainment. But in the past the Trinity Irish Dancers have performed for the men and women and of course, Santa Claus makes an appearance with a sack full of gifts donated by area individuals and businesses.

Dentice said he has plenty of socks, a donation of gloves coming from Marinette and new knit hats, but he can always use more. Whatever doesn’t go into Christmas stockings will be donated to homeless veterans or the Ronald McDonald House.

Donations in the form of cash or check can be mailed to Jeff Dentice, S108 W19843 Red Oak Court, Muskego, WI 53150. He can also be contracted at 414-218-3030 or docdentice@wi.rr.com. Arrangements can be made for pick up of large donations, which will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 9.

These “elves”  and kindhearted folk like Doc can’t do it all alone — they need our help to bring joy to these men and women who so richly deserve it in honor of their service to our nation.

Photo from the 2009 Veterans Christmas Party were provided by Jeff “Doc” Dentice. Cover photo courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs.