Heavy rain and cold wind didn’t deter more than 100 people from attending the Veterans Day Celebration Luncheon and Program in Sun City Friday, November 11, after the conclusion of the community’s Veterans Day service.
“We’re always called to deploy in adverse weather, nights and holidays,” said event coordinator Brenda Alicea, who is also a retired army officer. “So what’s the big deal?”
The event was hosted by Sun City Hiking Club members, Women Helping Others and the Sun City community, who all contributed to a toy drive for children of active duty military members at Fort Hood.
Many of the children's parents may be deployed over the holidays.
Hiking Club Toy Drive Coordinators Jeff Helm and Cindy Sheppard oversaw the collection of over $4,000 in monetary donations and $6,000 in toys for the children. The toy drive began back in September and concluded Friday. They will be delivered to Killeen this week.
Veterans attending the event were honored with a standing ovation.
“[They] are so special,” Ms. Alicea said.
This was the first year the Hiking Club, WHO and Sun City had hosted the event. Ms. Alicea said it was a successful run.
“It’s a good feeling,” she said. “Those toys are going to bring a lot of smiles on the faces of military children for the holidays.”