This year, staff members helped 24 families through their Adopt-A-Family program. They donated toys, gifts, clothing and gift cards, as they have done for the past 28 years.

Fifteen VA departments adopted one or more families, with employees purchasing gifts based on the wish list of each family member.

“Coordinating the Adopt-a-Family event over the past three years has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Kalee Cayemberg, this year’s coordinator. “Each year, I’ve seen firsthand how our departments come together to support local families with compassion and generosity.”

“It’s inspiring to see how much heart our team puts into making the holidays brighter for others, and I’m proud to be part of such a caring organization,” she added.

The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center’s Pathology and Laboratory Department participated in this year’s Adopt-a-Family Program. From left, team members with gifts for the adopted family are Robert Cvengros, Sharon Malburg, Jenna Johnson, Erica DeTemple, Audrey Colavecchi, Bridget Grosskopf, Steve Richey, Holly Learned, Alyssa Erickson, Kayla Lindstrom and Patricia Reddinger. (Photo provided by the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center)

Gifts were delivered to the schools before Christmas break and were distributed to the families.

The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center has sponsored the holiday season Adopt-a-Family program since 1996, providing gifts to a total of 231 local families.

For more information, contact Public Affairs at the VA center at 906-774-3300, ext. 32012.