Megan Barglind, left, and Karen Burkman, the VA’s Adopt-A-Family co-coordinators, with gifts for the family adopted by the director’s office. 

IRON MOUNTAIN — Employees from the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center played Santa’s elves to bring holiday cheer in the form of gifts to 15 area families.

This is the 24th year that VA employees have come together to provide toys, gifts, clothing and gift cards making the holidays brighter for the families in need.

Families were identified through the School Success program at Breitung Township Schools, facilitated by Marci Veale, School Success worker. Thirteen departments adopted one or two families, with employees purchasing gifts based on the wish list of each family member.

“The VA staff really enjoys helping local families each year through our Adopt-a-Family program,” said Megan Barglind, this year’s co-coordinator.

Jim Rice, the VA medical center director, agreed. “One thing that makes me proud of our medical center is our employees who demonstrate every year their caring spirit and selfless giving.”

Veale received the gifts from the VA on Wednesday and will distribute them to the families for the VA this year due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

“We are happy that this year we could continue to do this despite COVID-19, thanks to Marci and the School Success Program,” Barglind said.

The Iron Mountain VA has sponsored the holiday season Adopt-a-Family program since 1996, providing gifts to 174 families.

Megan Barglind, left, and Karen Burkman, the VA’s Adopt-A-Family co-coordinators, with gifts for the family adopted by the director’s office. 

arci Veale, School Success Worker at Breitung Township Schools, left, and Karen Burkman, Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center Adopt-a-Family co-coordinator, with some of the gifts for local families in need.