Vets Department implements new Christmas tradition

Holiday traditions abound in Nevada, including those in which nature often calls the shots. For example, sometimes it’s a white Christmas, sometimes it’s not.

But man-made traditions don’t depend on the weatherman. Rather they reflect the creativity and thoughtfulness of the men and women who participate and who continue without hesitation to make things happen.

Jana McElhaney, the event coordinator for the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, has taken charge of the department’s first annual “Christmas Cards for Veterans” project in conjunction with participating schools in select counties. Cards designed by students will be collected and delivered to servicemen and women at nursing home facilities in Northern Nevada, and to the Nevada State Nursing Home in Boulder City.

“The first cards have been received from Dayton High School,” McElhaney said. “The school is part of the Lyon County School District. We’ve also contacted the superintendents in the counties of Clark, Storey, Churchill, Washoe, Humboldt and Carson City, and we’re looking forward to receiving cards from the schools there.”

McElhaney said the deadline for her to receive cards is Dec. 4, giving her time to pack and distribute them all.

“We’re going to distribute them mostly by personal delivery,” she said. “We want to do everything we can to make it special for the veterans.”

McElhaney said the state’s Veterans Services Department is planning to develop the card program as an annual tradition. She is a veteran herself, having served in the U.S. Navy as a civilian she volunteers with and supports several veterans organizations.

This year each card will accompany a pair of new slippers that were donated by the Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition, part of an earlier donation of more than 8,000 that the coalition has been distributing to veterans and military members throughout Nevada. Students are encouraged to show off their artwork with drawings and photographs. Handmade cards including any that are computer-generated are preferred.

“We encourage students to be creative. They can add their poetry and express their sincere support for the service the veteran provided,” McElhaney explained.

If additional schools in the Northern portion of the State want to participate, McElhaney can be reached at 775-825-9755.