On Christmas day, patients at the VA Medical Center in Chillicothe will have friendship wrapped and waiting under their tree for them.

On Dec. 14, members of the Elks Club 177 of Ironton unloaded a truckload of gifts for the patients. They also donated money for canteen cards and telephone cards.

Jack Adams, chairman of the operating committee of the Elks 177 of Ironton, said club members have been doing this as long as he can remember.

“We took T shirts and socks, gloves, books, Bibles, toothbrushes and toothpaste,” Adams said. “We took hats.” He thanked the Ironton Eagles 895 for its contribution to the effort.

Adams said this is one of the main community service projects the Elks Club undertakes each year.

The gifts were as much a show of support and friendship as it was a nod to the holiday season.

“I think it’s important to let veterans know they will never be forgotten,” he said.