Local group holds Christmas dinner for veterans

The parish hall of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church was filled Thursday with the soft melody of Irish Christmas carols, the glow of lights from a tree in the corner and the smell of a holiday feast.

About 50 veterans and their caretakers occupied the hall for the sixth annual dinner hosted by the local Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic organization. The order is a ministry of St. Mary on the Hill, and raised some of the funds for the dinner through the church's Angel Tree fundraising program.

Michael Ramp, president of the local Ancient Order of the Hibernians, said the dinner has continued to grow over the past several years, and sees no sign of that slowing down.

"We wanted to do something for Christmas, especially for these people in nursing homes or the VA hospital and some homeless," Ramp said. "We just thought it was a great thing to do and it’s gotten a lot bigger."

Ramp said the dinners began with about 15 veterans. Now, organizations including the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, Forces United, and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center bring a few of their residents for an opportunity to eat and socialize if they don't have family visiting over the holidays.

"It’s been great and we just love doing this and giving back," Ramp said. "We’re with our families and they’re not for the most part."

Kim Thomas, activities director for the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, said her residents enjoy the meal. She brought 13 this year, and said many want to come again.

"I think they appreciate being remembered not only by veteran organizations but by community groups as well," Thomas said.

At the end of the meal, one member of the order dressed up as Santa and helped distribute gift cards and throw blankets. Bill Quigley, a veteran of the Vietnam and Korean wars, is staying at the VA and said the dinner exceeded his expectations.

"This is the one thing I'm going to miss, because I won't be home for Christmas this year," Quigley said of the dinner. "I just so appreciate this."

Accompanying the dinner was a local band, Dé Céadaoin, playing Irish songs. Debra van Tuyll, an Augusta University professor who plays the harp, said the event is close to her heart since her father served in the Marines.

"It’s really nice because the people who live in nursing homes and group homes like getting out and going somewhere different, having different kinds of food, a different kind of fellowship," she said. "I think it’s really good for them and raises their spirits."

For members of local veterans organizations, the dinner was an opportunity to see their residents socialize. Rick Herring, a veteran advocate at Forces United, said he enjoyed helping the veterans get out in the community.

"This is my opportunity to get them out, get them socialized, get them a good meal at the most special time of the year," Herring said.

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