Postcard from the past
By Dick Perue
This year’s idea for Christmas giving is an oldie, but goodie – Veterans’ Hospital (VA) in Cheyenne. For over a half century, members of the American Legion Auxiliary have gathered gifts to send to the VA.
Following is a story published in 1975, which prompted several local folks to donate gifts to our Veterans.
It is our hope it will continue to inspire gift giving for our Veterans and their families and friends. If interested, please contact a local American Legion Auxiliary. It makes a Merry Christmas for all of us.
The 1975 Christmas-time feature story in the Rawlins Daily Times stated:
A Doll’s Second Life
By Grace Healey
“No, not a picture! People will think it is so silly – an old woman playing with dolls.”
The dolls which Paul Pearson of Saratoga has mentioned are going to the VA in Cheyenne, among other gifts, either made or given by the American Legion Auxiliary of the state.
Each Veteran may choose one Christmas gift for each member of his family. If the gift needs mailing, this is also taken care of for him.
For many years, Pearson has dressed dolls. They are donated by girls or families who have outgrown them. They may be well-worn, but not broken. The dolls get a bath, a new paint job when needed and often new hair from an old wig.
Then, Pearson makes each one six changes of clothing. The teenage dolls will have a wardrobe of slinky, glittering skirts and mod pant suits. The baby dolls will wear knit sweaters and crocheted bonnets, made by Lucille Brodin.
Nester Miller and “the girls at the bank” donated this year’s dolls. As the women surveyed the rejuvenated dolls, their eyes grew pensive with memories of Christmas’ past and little girls grown up.
One doll came from a garbage pail in Denver.
“Maybe we could do something with it,” the finder said to his wife, who was a long-time friend of Pearson’s.
“I know exactly what to do with it,” she answered.
Even the dolls wondered about the mystery of the one in the garbage. Every doll will go to its new home full of sage advice and interesting conversation from its days with Pearson.
