Veterans Day isn’t the only yearly opportunity area residents have to pay tribute to retired service men and women.

The annual Christmas for Veterans program began recently and people can drop off gifts until Dec. 22. The program is in its eighth year, said Sandy Hampton, co-chair. She runs Christmas for Veterans with Bob Stancel.

To participate, people can leave gifts at the following drop-off sites: Western Cooperative Credit Union, American State Bank, Gate City Bank and First International Bank.

Gift ideas include sweat pants in all sizes, gloves, socks, flannel shirts (medium-3X), denture brushes, razors, phone cards, wallets, clocks with large numbers, watches and small radios. Complete lists can be picked up at any of the drop-off locations.

If someone has a specific veteran in mind, he/she can designate the gift, Hampton said. Also, if people want to give money instead, Hampton will choose the gift. The purpose of the program is to recognize veterans of past wars such as World War II and the Korean War who weren’t acknowledged upon returning home from the wars for their service, Hampton said.

“It’s time they be recognized for their service,” she said.

Last year, 259 veterans were given gifts, including some in Epping, Trenton and Williston veterans in the Glendive nursing home, Hampton said.

Gifts are delivered to veterans at Bethel Lutheran Home and Kensington Home by Erik Rognlien and Ray Willows.

A holiday party is held when the gifts are delivered, and patriotic music is played as veterans talk about the old days, she said.

Christmas for Veterans was affiliated with the American Legion, but now no single organization is in charge, Hampton said, adding several organizations and individuals help with it.

Hampton became involved partly because her husband is retired from the Air Force, and she thinks highly of veterans.

“I always thought veterans were very special people,” she said.

Hampton gets lists of veterans from Bethel and Kensington, and relies on others to call her with names.

“We encourage anyone to call,” she said.

For more information or to notify Hampton of the name of a veteran that should be a recipient of a gift, call her at 572-1974 or 770-6774, or call Stancel at 572-6271.