Veteran organizations team up to give back for Christmas

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Local veterans are bringing Christmas cheer to their fellow vets this year. 

“Our biggest passion is to help others,” said veteran Miki Padgett. 

Wheeling with Warriors, Veterans for Veterans, and Foxtrot Forward teamed up to drop off care baskets and presents to those in the community who have served and are in need of some extra assistance this year.

The care baskets had food, drinks, and other necessities. They gave out over 75 packages to people all throughout Warren County. Hillvue Heights Church also provided warm meals from mission catering. 

It’s a cause that hits close to home. 

“Filling in those gaps for veterans in the community that might need help with a light bill, food, clothing, paying other things so it’s just basically at the heart of everything we do,” said Padgett. 

“And also to show them honor and respect that we feel they don’t always get, and they definitely deserve,” said Wheeling with Warriors Terry Hilliard. 

Veteran Joe Avis was one of the families they helped Wednesday. 

“The veteran community is a real tight knit community. We always have been, always will be. So it means a lot that veterans are helping other veterans. That’s the way it’s always been,” said Avis. 

He said this helps him give his daughter the Christmas that she dreams of.

“I’m excited. It’s giving me the opportunity to give my daughter a Christmas that she wouldn’t have normally had without their help and support,” said Avis. 

Padgett says they made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and that this is the least they could do.