Veterans gift shop provides free presents to veterans in need

SALT LAKE CITY — The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Utah hosted its annual Veterans Gift Shop this week, giving low-income veterans help for the holidays. The Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City held the event, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

Inside the VA Medical Center was a room with racks of coats and clothes, and tables with shoes and toys, all provided by the VA’s partners and donors. 

Veterans shopped for their kids, grandkids and life’s necessities for themselves. The gifts were all free of charge.

Army veteran Tyrone Lavine spent part of his day on Tuesday shopping for his loved ones at the shop. It’s his third year utilizing the VA gift shop.

Lavine said the shop helps “Because being on a certain amount of pay, we’re on a very tight budget so this kinda helps us so we can get all the kids covered and give them a happy Christmas too.”

Acting Chief for the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Sarah Hallen said they’re always looking for partners to do more.

“We always encourage community organizations if they’re interested in volunteering or to donate to visit volunteer.va.gov.”

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