A local Army veteran and his family will receive a surprise showering of gifts and support during the “Miracles do Still Happen at Christmas” program Saturday at the Pike County Veterans Memorial in front of the courthouse in Magnolia.
McComb resident Jacquelyn Cooper and three of her friends — Lynn Jordan, Alayna Duncan and Stacy Accord — founded the program this year to families who cannot supply their children with a “great Christmas.”
“We want people to know miracles do still happen and there are people out there that will still help them,” Cooper said.
The event will take place at the memorial at 2 p.m.
All veterans in attendance will be honored.
Jim O’Rourke, a Marine Corps veteran, will speak and Jeffery Nunnery will sing a tribute to veterans entitled “An American Soldier.”
The identity of the soldier will be revealed during the ceremony. Cooper was hesitant to release his name for publication because the family is unaware of the efforts.
She said the soldier served in the Army for 12 years, including six in Iraq.
He received a medical discharge following an injury.
With tight finances on the home front, it appeared his family was headed for a grim Christmas — until Cooper’s group heard about the family’s situation.
“I had multiple people tell me about this family,” she said. “Christmas is for kids in my eyes, but when it’s a hero, you’ve got to do something for them.”
The soldier’s family is not alone.
Miracles do Still Happen at Christmas is providing aid to six other families, and has collected about 100 toys.
Cooper said the group received inquiries for about 60 families, but could only afford to choose a handful.
“We couldn’t just take anybody,” Cooper said. “We can’t afford to do that. It’s just been hard getting people to donate.”
The group also asks that attendees at Saturday’s event donate wrapped items of clothing and toys for about 15 children, ranging from an 18-month-old baby to a 15-year-old girl.
Cooper added that the group plans to continue its outreach efforts in the future.
“We’re going to do it next year because there’s been such an outcry,” she said.
For more information, contact Cooper at 551-8886.
