Decorating the Ashley Center, which is a transitional facility for veterans in Wilmington, is my usual Holiday mood kickoff. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until we decorate for them. Stamp Defiance members have been decorating the Ashley Center since 2002. HODARS are often helpful, and the residents always look forward to our arrival. We have even been known to sing carols while decorating.
The veterans bring us tall ladders and help us in so many ways. We set up and decorate three trees, as well as place garland on the inside and outside banisters of the steps and on the stage. We hang wreaths on the doors and place centerpieces on the tables and pillows and statuettes in the windows to add Holiday cheer to the veterans’ surroundings. This year we decorated a white tree with red and blue balls and American flags in the front entry. It received many positive exclamations from the residents. Many thanks to Jo Stroud’s friend who gave us this idea and to Lowe’s for donating the beautiful tree.
Merry Christmas!
Carole Weiss, State Regent
