APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Lots of people dread wrapping up holiday gifts but that wasn’t the case in Appleton Sunday.
Hundreds volunteered to wrap Christmas presents for military and veteran families.
The sound of scissors cutting and paper ripping filled the inside of Appleton’s Darboy Club as it transformed into Santa’s workshop Sunday.
“We’ve got over 3000 gifts to wrap,” said Mark Goebel.
It’s part of the 2018 Operation Christmas Angel. The event is organized by the local Patriot Guard Riders, a group that honors former and active military.
Goebel is the Wisconsin Patriot Guard Riders assistant captain.
“This is just one small way that we can say thank you and let them know that they’re not forgotten.”
While hundreds of people showed up to wrap presents for military and veterans families others adopted families too.
“We adopted two families,” said Scott Lund.
“There were three kids in one family and two children in another family. And a lot of times the parents don’t ask for anything for themselves, so you want to try and get something for them too. Whether it’s a gift. or a gas card.”
Lund tells FOX 11 this year gifts will be sent to 550 families around the state.
“You get to wrap presents what’s not fun about that? You can remember when you were a kid and got to open Christmas presents.”
It’s nostalgic for some and personal for others.
“I got involved with them because I was searching for help for my brother who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from being involved in desert storm,” said Brenda Kuhl, another volunteer.
“The spirit of Christmas is to help others” said Lund.
Lund wants to pass that spirit on to his children.
“Hopefully inspiring them to keep doing it as they get older. And if they choose to have kids letting them do that, and so just keep it going forward.”
His son, Charles Lund, tells FOX 11 it’s a humbling experience.
“You’re doing something bigger than yourself.”
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our soldiers,” said Goebel.
At this time of year, that gratitude is wrapped in festive paper.
