CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 108 has donated $4,500 to help provide Christmas gifts for families enrolled in the Ross County Health District’s (RCHD) Home Visiting Program, continuing a tradition of community support for the third consecutive year.
RCHD officials said the donation will directly benefit more than 100 children across Ross County, helping ensure families experience a brighter holiday season during challenging economic times.
“We are so grateful that this is the third year in a row VFW Post 108 has made this donation. Our families really appreciate it,” said Amie Unger, Director of Child and Family Health for the Ross County Health District. “The past few years have been hard for our families, which makes this donation all the more impactful.”
VFW Post 108 Commander and U.S. Navy veteran Ryan Varney said the donation reflects the organization’s commitment to helping children and families in need.
“It was our pleasure to donate $4,500 to assist the Ross County Health Department’s Help Me Grow program,” Varney said. “We were able to help over 100 kids from all parts of the county. As combat veterans, some of us have seen children in very difficult situations. Being able to brighten the holiday season for kids here in Ross County means a great deal to our members.”
The Ross County Health District’s Home Visiting Program supports families who are pregnant or have children up to age five by providing in-home education, resources, and connections to community services. The program also includes Cribs for Kids and Child Passenger Safety initiatives, which provide portable cribs, child safety seats, and booster seats to eligible families.
Unger noted that many families served by the program rely on WIC benefits and food assistance and often face transportation barriers, especially in rural areas such as Bainbridge and Frankfort.
“Some Christmas assistance programs require families to travel or sign up in person, which can be difficult,” Unger explained. “This donation allowed us to provide gifts for all children in the 120 families we serve. That support makes a tremendous difference.”
VFW Post 108 promotes patriotism, civic engagement, and service through education and community involvement throughout Ross County.
Families interested in the Help Me Grow Home Visiting Program can learn more or make a referral by visiting the Ross County Health District’s website.
