This week, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) delivered 150 stockings filled with personal care items, cards and ornaments to the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Pictured above accepting the donations are Recreational Therapist Alyssa Rioux (left) and Voluntary Service Specialist Sheri Valle (center) who work at the hospital.

The donations for the 2nd Annual Stockings for Veterans drive were made possible thanks to many generous individuals, school groups, churches, teams, organizations and elected officials.

 
“It is overwhelming to see the outpouring of items people donated. Bringing everything to the hospital was an absolute honor. Not only will the VA staff be able to give a stocking to patients who must spend the holidays in the hospital, but due to everyone’s generosity, their stockroom closets will be filled with things like sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, gloves and other items so veterans can be warm and comfortable when they are discharged from the hospital throughout the winter months,” said Leader Barclay. 

“We are very appreciative for the donations from this drive. Our thanks go to Leader Barclay and everyone who adopted this effort to help our patients. We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our veterans,” said Robert McLean, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.), spokesperson for the Syracuse VA Medical Center.