Santa made an appearance at the VFW, to the delight of Aidan Elgart, 2, who was there with his dad, Jonathon Elgart who leads karaoke singing at the VFW.
MADEIRA BEACH – Singing of Christmas carols, reading of the Biblical nativity story and feasting on a turkey dinner are part of the holiday tradition for many.
For a group of 70 or so veterans gathered at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4266 at John’s Pass the week before Christmas, the time of fellowship and camaraderie was truly special. The event represented a step toward rejoining the community.
The group members are participants in Steps of Life, a program run by the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Center at Bay Pines VA Hospital.
The goal of the program’s recovery plan “is to get the vets active in the community, so that when they leave, they feel comfortable being good citizens in the community,” according to charge nurse Joe Connelly.
Some of the participants had been sitting home for years before their involvement, he said.
Connelly said the program model was changed in recent years to allow the veterans more control over their treatment.
“People come into the program and they decide what their needs are,” he said. “They tell us what they want on their road to recovery and we do our best to fill their needs.”
The veterans seem to like the shift toward empowerment. Program participation has grown using the new model, and has outgrown the recovery facility, Connelly noted.
Community support has also been a factor in the success. The Elks, Vietnam Veterans of America, and VFW all have sponsored recent events.
The VFW Christmas party featured a turkey dinner with all the trimmings provided by the local organization with the help of the Ladies Auxiliary. On the program was singing of Christmas carols and other activities that were organized by the program participants.
“They put this all together themselves,” said Connelly. It followed a beachside barbecue held earlier in the year.
Future events could be held in the log cabin on the Gulf of Mexico at Archibald Park, said Madeira Beach Vice Mayor Nancy Oakley, who was carving and serving turkey along with husband Jon.
The cabin had been used as a veterans rehab center in the past, she said.
“We’re here to party,” proclaimed recreational therapist Michael Gilmer as the group finished off dinner and readied for a round of karaoke led by Jonathan Elgart.
Between final bites of turkey, veterans Victoria and Connie expressed their gratitude for being there (the full identity of the participants is not allowed by Bay Pines).
“They treat us really good here,” said Victoria. “It’s always the best, really great.”
“Going out and being treated to a special event means a lot,” said Connie. “A lot of people don’t have any chance to get out and go anywhere.”
Connelly said planning and implementing events like the Christmas party energizes the vets to be independent and resourceful, and is part of their road to recovery.
“They are amazed with what they can do on their own – with a little encouragement,” said Connelly.
![[Image]](/content_images/122209_bhb-01.jpg)
