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Highlands Today
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Mail carrier delivers help to veterans
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Published: November 10, 2009
SEBRING - Three years ago Wanda Brote called the county's veterans services office and asked if they needed help with their food drive.
They told her, "Now more than ever."
Brote got to work right away. She made a sign and taped it to a mail carrier cart and hoped people would respond. Within weeks, the cart was full with toys and food.
On delivery day, the bed of Brote's pick-up truck was full to the top, she said. She walked into the veteran's office holding four bags.
"She was so excited when she brought those toys into our office. You would think Santa Clause was bringing it to her," remembered Denise Williams, assistant veteran's service officer.
Brote has been collecting food and toys for veterans for Thanksgiving and Christmas since 2007. With the last two food drives, she's helped about 30 veterans and hopes to help more this year.
The 16-year mail carrier for Sebring's Lake Jackson office decided to do something after hearing about all needy veteran families on the news.
"We have a lot of families whose partners are oversees and they don't have any money. For a lot of them that meal or toy can make the holidays so much better," Brote said.
Williams calls Brote's actions true patriotism.
"It's gratifying for me to know that a person who's not a veteran herself is doing this. She's a very admirable person," Williams said.
In the 12 years with the county's veterans service office, Williams has seen the need to help veterans grow.
More veterans are returning from war and facing tough economic times, she said.
Williams estimates that this year more 25 veterans and families will be in need for food and toys.
Food and toy donations go to the Highlands County Veterans Service Office at 7209 S.W. George Blvd. located behind the Highlands County Health Department or the Lake Jackson Post Office behind Lakeshore Mall.
Food will be collected until Nov. 24. for Thanksgiving and Dec. 23 for Christmas.
Highlands Today reporter Aiyana Baida can be reached at (863) 386-5855 or nbaida@highlandstoday.com
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