Frank Parker, coordinator (back left), and Dean Gotham, president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951, distribute blankets and socks at Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare Center on Dec. 21. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Local Vietnam veterans shared gifts and holiday spirits with local seniors in December.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 951 delivered gifts to seniors at four local long-term care facilities as part of its “Seniors Not Forgotten” campaign.

The group began the program in 2006, distributing fleece blankets to veterans at local facilities, and offering slipper socks to all residents.

In 2007, they decided to broaden the program to offer blankets and slipper socks to all care facility residents, which numbers nearly 300 countywide.

The effort, said VVA President Dean Gotham, was to let seniors know they are remembered and that they matter.

Facilities they visited during December included Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare Center, Edelweiss Assisted Care Facility and Lakeport Skilled Nursing Facility, and Meadowood Nursing Facility in Clearlake.

VVA continues to raise money year-round for its community efforts. If you would like to make a donation to the chapter for its programs, send checks to the VVA Chapter 951, P.O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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