I spent a year at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (previously the "Navy Home") as Chairman of the MWR Committee (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) for the Residents Advisory Committee. During that time, I made friends with Mr. Pat Presley, VP for BP. They had an office in Gulfport (MS) after the spill.
I met him when they invited some retired Marines to their office for the Marine Birthday (with a fab cake). I was the youngster among a lot of WW2'ers. But, Pat told me to call him when I needed ANYTHING for the Vets.
In November, I proposed a plan to place 12 Christmas trees in the Lobby and Halls, and invite the 12 local Elementary schools to decorate them. Pat called me about two hours after I asked, and he was at the gate with a pickup load from WallyWorld. 12 trees, completely lighted, and other goodies to decorate. That load was more than $1500 but was a drop to them.
But, the kids came to do their job. The kids made most of the decorations themselves. The Vets hung around watching the kids and loving it. It was a great day, and a great Christmas season. Not all of the trees got decorated by the kids, but some of the Vets pitched in and completed the others...
