Indiana post gives Christmas to 16 military families
Sixteen Indiana National Guard families received a special Christmas thanks to Post 145 in Avon, Ind., and its Indiana Blue Star Committee, which hosted its first "Spirit of Christmas" event at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Ind., on Dec. 20, 2014. (Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion)

Indiana post gives Christmas to 16 military families

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Nearly 200 Christmas presents wrapped in pink, green and blue camouflage paper filled a stage flanked by lit Christmas trees and wreaths at the Hendricks Country Fairgrounds in Danville, Ind., last Saturday. The presents were purchased and given to 16 Indiana National Guard families by The American Legion family of Post 145 in Avon and its Indiana Blue Star Committee for its first “Spirit of Christmas” event.

The 45 children of the military families - who were identified as in need this holiday season by the Indiana National Guard family assistance program - didn’t unwrap their gifts until Santa Claus arrived at the fairgrounds, which he did by way of a Vietnam War Huey helicopter. The children stood outside waving to Santa as he landed.

“This is all about the kids,” said Ralph “Zoc” Zoccolillo, Indiana Blue Star Salute Committee chairman and member of Post 145. “These kids wished for certain presents, and they got them.”

The “Spirit of Christmas” event came to fruition in less than two months, and more than $8,000 was raised to purchase presents and to provide a catered lunch to the families. A local Yamaha store sponsored the Huey, and Marsh grocery store in Avon provided hams for each family to take home.

“This is what the Legion is supposed to do. A lot of generous people made this event happen,” said Richard Culp, commander of Post 145.

The post held a pizza party to wrap all the presents, which consisted of children’s toys and electronics such as televisions, laptops, Xbox’s and Playstation 3’s. Each family was called individually on stage to take a photo with Santa and to receive gifts, which were delivered to the family’s respective table by Pike High School JROTC cadets.

“It means the most that my kids are loved by people we don’t even know,” said Indiana National Guardsmen Larry White.

For retired Army Sgt. Josh Turner, a father of six, he said the “Spirit of Christmas” event “means a lot to my family, especially since right now we are in a bad spot—our 6-year-old son was just diagnosed with Leukemia.”

The event was such a success, bringing joy to many families this holiday season, that Post 145 and the Indiana Blue Star program “will continue to host the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ for our military families,” Zoc said.