Scout collects 700 presents, Christmas tree for Idaho State Veterans Home
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POCATELLO — On Christmas morning, the approximately 60 veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello will have plenty of presents to unwrap thanks to the efforts of a local teen.
Alex Prescott, 16, not only decided to set up a Christmas tree in the activity center of the veterans home, but he was also able to get 700 different items donated as presents, which the home’s residents will open on Christmas morning.
The idea originated from Prescott’s scoutmaster, who suggested that they do something in the Christmas spirit for his Eagle Scout project. With two grandfathers who had served in the military, Prescott decided to help Pocatello’s veterans.
“I don’t think a lot of them get the ideal Christmas that we think of, and I think this gives them the opportunity to really experience Christmas on a different level, not only with themselves but also with their community, and that brings the community together,” he said.
The project featured a 9-foot Christmas tree donated by an individual who wished to stay anonymous.
The tree was adorned in American flag decorations, including a flag made on paint paddles and a star ornament for each resident with their picture on it.
All the 700 different presents were donated by the community with a mix of individual and business donations.
To seek out the individual contributions for the Eagle Scout project, Prescott set out wrapped boxes and left messages on the bulletins in three different LDS churches in the Tyhee Stake. He also let the money come in from friends and family.
Before that, the project had required 40 hours of preparation getting donations. Prescott also had to get the project approved by the scouting organization and he had to seek permission from the veterans home itself.
The veterans home and the businesses that contributed were all enthusiastic about the project. They were able to get donations from the local Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Johnson & McMinn Orthodontics and the Pocatello Children’s Clinic.
But no one was more excited than Robert Armijo, a Marine veteran and Eagle Scout living at the home.
This is going to be his first Christmas at the home and he was more than happy to see the tree in the activity center, which is where residents participate in community activities such as movies and bingo.
“It makes me feel great that everyone’s picture on the tree, and having the flags, and the creativity of the flags made out of paint stirring sticks is amazing,” Armijo said.
Armijo served during the Vietnam era in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and he said that when the war ended and his fellow vets returned home, they were looked down upon. He said it felt good to receive a thank you.
“It’s our tree in essence. It’s the residents’ tree,” Armijo said, especially admiring the star ornaments on the tree.
The staff at the veterans home was also moved by the presence of the tree. Staff member Erika Pena said that for the veterans home employees, they spend about as much time with the residents as they do with their own families, meaning the veterans become a part of their family.
This article was originally published by the Idaho State Journal. It is used here with permission.