LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Hundreds of Allen County veterans and their families gathered in downtown Lima to help kick off the holiday season at Operation Christmas Cheer.
The event, which started small a few years ago through the Allen County Veterans Service Commission, has continued to grow each year. Veterans and their families filled the Veterans Civic Center, enjoying lunch and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children received toys courtesy of the Salvation Army, while adults had the chance to enter a raffle for prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.
“The importance of it is to bring veterans together so that they, number one, can get resources and find out what's out there and what's available for available to them. But it's also important because of the holidays, a lot of people are by themselves, or they're struggling, possibly mentally, and so we do this so at least they can have something or have a time to be with other people and know that other people care about them. They don't have to be alone," said Tamara Wilson, executive director of the Allen County Veterans Services Commission.
Wilson encourages local veterans to contact the Veterans Services Commission to learn more about available resources and support in Allen County.
