BPOE No. 31 (Syracuse, NY) Annual Visit with Santa at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Syracuse, NY (2015-12-SYR-11)

    On Sunday, December 13, 2015, B.P.O.E. No. 31 Lodge members were joined as usual by Santa Claus and visited with the residents at Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Syracuse, NY, donating numerous items. Each of the 80 residents received a personal gift bag filled with items to provide activities and comfort. In addition to the individual bags, the Lodge also donated cases upon cases of snack type items that can be shared with all residents throughout the year.
     As per the request of the staff at the Recreation Office, we also provided them with brand new Blu-Ray DVD player’s and a boom box for their enjoyment. The residents all enjoyed the afternoon visit and were all smiles as they talked with Santa and his helpers.

    Santa’s helper’s were: Volunteers: George Dooher Briana Heindorf, and George Scher. BPOE 031 Members: PER Pam Johnson Allen, Exalted Ruler Dawn Bristol, Trustee Jeff Dalton, PER/Esteemed Leading Knight Mike Giehl, Volunteer PER Tom Kanaley, Good Member David Merriam, PST/PER/Veteran’s Chairman Kevin Merriam, Inner Guard Kyle Merriam, PDDGER/PER/Secretary Sheila O’Connor,

    This is an annual event and has always been one of the highlights of the year for all those who take part!

(Submitted December 13, 2015 by BPOE No. 31, Syracuse) 11 PTS.

1. From Left to Right: Elf Sheila O'Connor, Santa Claus, George Scher, Kyle Merriam, Pam Johnson Allen, Jeff Dalton, and Mike Giehl.

2. From Left to Right: Elf Sheila O'Connor, Santa Claus, George Scher, Kyle Merriam, Pam Johnson Allen, Jeff Dalton, and Mike Giehl.

3. From Left to Right: Elf Sheila O'Connor, Santa Claus, George Scher, Kyle Merriam, Pam Johnson Allen, Jeff Dalton, and Mike Giehl.

4. From Left to Right: Elf Sheila O'Connor, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist), and Santa Claus. 

5. From Left to Right: Elf Sheila O'Connor, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist), and Santa Claus.

6. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist). Back Row Left to Right: David Merriam, Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, Tom Kanaley, and Pam Johnson Allen.

7. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist). Back Row Left to Right: David Merriam, Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, Tom Kanaley, and Pam Johnson Allen.

8. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist). Back Row Left to Right: David Merriam, Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, Tom Kanaley, and Pam Johnson Allen.

9. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist). Back Row Left to Right: David Merriam, Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, Tom Kanaley, and Pam Johnson Allen.

10. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist). Back Row Left to Right: David Merriam, Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, Tom Kanaley, and Pam Johnson Allen.

11. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist). Back Row Left to Right: David Merriam, Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, Tom Kanaley, and Pam Johnson Allen.

12. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist) and Dawn Bristol. Back Row Left to Right: Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, and Tom Kanaly.

13. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist) and Dawn Bristol. Back Row Left to Right: Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, and Tom Kanaley.

14. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist) and Dawn Bristol. Back Row Left to Right: Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, and Tom Kanaley.

15. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist) and Dawn Bristol. Back Row Left to Right: Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, and Tom Kanaley.

16. Front Row Left to Right: Briana Heindorf, Suzanne Hawes (Syracuse VA Lead Recreation Therapist) and Dawn Bristol. Back Row Left to Right: Jeff Dalton, George Scher, Mike Giehl, Santa Claus,  Elf Sheila O'Connor, Kyle Merriam, and Tom Kanaley.