VA brings gifts to local families

IRON MOUNTAIN — Employees of one local medical facility are working to bring holiday cheer to families in Dickinson County.

For two decades, employees of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical center in Iron Mountain have participated in the ‘Adopt-a-Family’ program. To participate, they come together to provide toys, gifts, clothing, and gift cards to give to families that they adopt.

Officials at the VA say ten families — including 27 children — will be given gifts this year. Christmas trees located throughout the medical center were decorated with tags listing gift items for those families, and employees and volunteers could choose which gifts to purchase and donate. In many cases, officials say that families were adopted by an entire service or department.

The medical center has sponsored the Adopt-a-Family program since 1996, providing gifts to 126 local families who are experiencing financial hardships.

[Photo courtesy Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center]