Veterans bring Christmas to military families

Event scheduled for distribution of toys, food to area veterans

MOSES LAKE — Tony Blount wants to make sure military families have the best Christmas possible, and the Ritzville man and combat veteran is again helping to organize a distribution of toys, gift cards and food for area soldiers and their families later this month.

Blount, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1968-1969, last year helped raise money to give Christmas to seven families whose fathers were serving in Iraq with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 161st Infantry Regiment of the National Guard based in Moses Lake.

On Dec. 16, Blount will again be on hand at the Moses Lake National Guard armory as he and others distribute toys and food to military families.

For those soldiers who have returned from service overseas, Blount said the event is a way of augmenting a Christmas celebration those families wouldn't otherwise have. Blount said organizers are trying to give a nice Christmas to those servicemen and servicewomen in appreciation of the sacrifices they have made for their country.

"It's also a way, because being a combat veteran myself I understand their position," Blount said. He acknowledged that he was appreciative when people wrote him letters and supported him when he was serving in Vietnam. "That kindness and generosity (that) was given to me was deeply, deeply appreciated," he said.

Blount is working through a non-profit group he founded called Combat Veterans U.S.M.C. based in his hometown of Ritzville to help organize the event.

"They're not destitute but they certainly make the sacrifices," Blount said of veterans, adding that some have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Until the Dec. 16 event, Blount is helping to collect toys, food and gift certificates for the event. He said donations are currently being accepted through executive director Linda Finlay at the Moses Lake Food Bank for the military families. Blount this past weekend also played Santa Claus at the Moses Lake National Guard armory, handing out gifts to children.

Both events are being coordinated locally through Ferguson, who is the company family readiness group coordinator for the Bravo Company unit, formerly known as Charlie Company.

Ferguson said some members of the unit didn't have a job or haven't been able to find work since returning from overseas earlier this year, and this is a way of supporting those families at the holidays.

Blount has a background as an entertainer, and Ferguson said he has did an absolutely awesome job with his part last year. Ferguson said everyone really enjoyed the event, adding that it was amazing how much people were able to give.

"It was actually unbelievable," Ferguson said of the event last year, "You could just see the relief on the moms' faces."

In addition to dropping donations off at the food bank, Ferguson said donations for the soldiers event can also be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the armory. Ferguson encouraged anyone who donates to leave their name with donations. Any veteran or veterans family in need can call Blount at (509) 659-4888.