Volunteer Macy Williams brings joy to area Veterans giving holiday kindness

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Botetourt County is very fortunate to have a young woman representing volunteerism to Veterans. Macy Williams,a junior at James River High School raised over three thousand dollars of goods and money to help the Salem Veterans and other Veteran’s needs. She delivers this story in her on words:

My name is Macy Williams I am a Junior at James River high school.  I organized a donation drive and collected several thousand dollars of donated items for the Salem Va Hospital.Starting at a young age I have always been involved in volunteering my time  to benefit our veteran community members as it is a very special part of my life and always will be because my mom is a US Navy veteran.

As soon as I was old enough I became an official member of the American Legion Auxillary with a post in Blacksburg. (Near where I lived prior to Botetourt County. )I have participated in veteran fundraising and events my entire childhood whether it be handing out poppies, providing patriotic music for events, or volunteering my time for veterans activities at the Salem VA hospital. I had planned to be a summer volunteer but due to the Covid pandemic and a recent ankle injury I have been unable to do so. I recently contacted the president of my auxiliary and the volunteer office at the Salem Va and asked how can I help? 

I know the holidays are an extremely difficult time for some veterans whether it’s due to having no family and being alone or just being unable to go out now due to the pandemic. I partnered with the New River Electrical office in Cloverdale to set up a donation drive to benefit our local Salem Va hospital. After coming up with a plan, sitting down and meeting with the company president I coordinated with the volunteer service office at the VA Hospital and came up with a list of items most needed, which included t-shirts, underwear, backpacks and duffel bags just to name a few.

I set up a donation box at the business, sent out emails and supplied the employees with the list of items and started collecting and organizing boxes to deliver to the hospital. I just picked up the last box of items from New River Electrical and I plan to deliver them to the Va before Christmas. Throughout the month I collected several thousand dollars in items and delivered them to the volunteer services office to be used for local veterans. Our local Veterans and the Salem Va hospital are always in need of donations not just during the holidays so whether it be dropping off a box of t-shirts or if you don’t have time to shop even a small monetary donation can make a difference.  

I am a member of the American Legion Auxiliary post 182. 

The spirit of giving to veterans exemplified in the Christmas and Holiday Season in an extraordinariy effort from a dedicated young person. Many thanks to Macy Williams for her caring and giving.

–Cathy Benson, Macy Williams and photos by Missy Williams, Veteran