Kinston's Veterans Home is asking for community support for Christmas

To combat loneliness and social isolation, which the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports is linked to serious health conditions, North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston is asking the community to send holiday greetings, prayers, drawings and videos to CaringCards@pruitthealth.com or submit them online at PruittHealth.com/Caring-Cards.

"Our veterans, like everyone, have felt the impact of the pandemic this year, but we're confident we can keep spirits bright with the community's support. Whether you send in a personal card or have your children draw pictures for our veterans, know that every gesture is appreciated and helps these hometown heroes feel loved,” said Kimberly Dixon, activities director at North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston.

Last year, the community came together to help the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston make the holidays a little brighter for veterans by sending dozens of Caring Cards filled with warm, holiday wishes and messages of encouragement. They are asking for the same support in a year that has limited some of the visitation options due to the pandemic.

"This year has been difficult for everyone, especially our veterans, but one thing that has helped to keep spirits up throughout the pandemic is the love and support given to us by the community," Neil Pruitt, chairman and CEO of PruittHealth, said. "This holiday season, our veterans need that support more than ever, and we're asking community members to send holiday greetings so that no veteran feels alone and is reminded that they are loved."

PruittHealth activities directors and caregivers will share these holiday greetings and messages of encouragement with veterans to ensure they know that they are in the thoughts of compassionate friends, even ones they have never met.

“Together, we can ensure no veteran in our communities feels forgotten this holiday season and with a simple act of kindness, we can do our part to improve the health and well-being of older adults in the community,” Pruitt said. “We saw firsthand how these Caring Cards help bring such joy to veterans' faces when we piloted the program last year and I thank everyone who participates in advance for helping us repeat its success this year."