Valley veterans can get a warm Christmas wish through “Operation ‘Dear Veteran,’” sponsored by Fresno Pacific University.
To participate, just bring Christmas cards to one of the five FPU campuses: Merced, North Fresno, the main campus in Southeast Fresno (including Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary), Visalia and Bakersfield. FPU employees will distribute them to VA hospitals and the Veterans Home of California. Each card should contain a message to a veteran, be sealed and say “Dear Veteran” on the outside.
Last year individuals, families, elementary schools and churches wrote cards to more than 2,000 veterans—more than double the amount organizers had hoped for. “We encourage everyone to gather with your families, friends, co-workers and others to make or buy a few cards to let our veterans know they are appreciated and not forgotten,” said Denise Baronian, FPU executive director of regional enrollment and head of the project.
FPU has about 75 students who are veterans of the U.S. military. David Black, assistant director of operations and veteran support services, and others work to make sure they are served and feel included by the university. Black, past State Commander for AMVETS Department of California, has volunteered at Fresno VA Medical Center and knows how many local hospitalized veterans are alone at this time of year.
Find the nearest FPU campus at Locations | Fresno Pacific University or pack cards into a larger envelope and mail them no later than December 17 to:
Denise Baronian
c/o Fresno Pacific University
5 River Park Place West #303
Fresno, CA 93720