Children of US service members enjoy a special Christmas with Santa, loads of toys in Winchester

Donated toys are set aside for children of service members at MilVet’s Holidays for Heroes Toy Event, Sunday, Dec. 18, at Four Shores Ranch in Winchester. Valley News/Courtesy photo
MilVet, a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping veterans and their families, hosted the annual Holidays for Heroes Toy Event Sunday, Dec. 18, at Four Shores Ranch in Winchester.The special event surprised 135 children of U.S. service members who are deployed overseas, providing food, desserts, hot cocoa, photo booth, photos with Santa, crafts, costumed children’s characters, snow, petting zoo, raffles, live music, DJ and gifts for the children.Each child with big grins received four to six gifts from a wishlist filled by many people in the community who helped shop for them. MilVet invited two adults from each military family to attend the festivities free of charge. The families included active duty service members and veterans who are facing hardships such a
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