McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond. Often, patients are admitted before they can gather basic amenities, and this workshop was designed to provide assistance for those patients. The workshop took place on Veteran’s Day, November 11. The packages will be delivered by a staff member.
Over 200 items were donated, valued at about $600. Items included clothing, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, hand lotion, facial tissues, and other items requested by the hospital. Items were donated by the Northern Neck Chapter of the Master Naturalists, and members of the public.
Some of the items donated to be packaged.
Andy Talcott (rear), Frances Callaghan and Tony Callaghan help package items.
Linda Cole also volunteered.
Virginia State Parks are proud to be participating in events for our veterans of the armed services. Throughout 2011, active duty service personnel and their families, as well as veterans that are residents of Virginia have enjoyed free parking to all Virginia State Parks. On Veterans Day, all parks were encouraged to honor our veterans and Belle Isle is happy to be part of that initiative. We were happy to have a venue where the public can donate to such a good cause. This hospital is the closest veterans hospital for those in the Northern Neck and used by many of the veterans here.
The program was such a success that the park plans to make it an annual tradition.
LOCATION: Belle Isle State Park is located in Lancaster County on the Rappahannock River. From Warsaw, take State Route 3 East to SR 354. Turn right and follow for three miles. Turn right onto SR 683 at Somers to the park entrance. From Kilmarnock, take Route 3 West to Lively, then left on SR 201 for three miles, then right on SR 354 for three miles and left onto 683 to the park entrance.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia: two hours; Richmond: two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach: two hours; Roanoke: five hours