It’s that time of year when people are ditching their live Christmas trees, but one man is turning the wood from donated trees into canes for veterans!
Canes for Veterans Central Texas was started in 2016 by US Army veteran Jamie Willis when it occurred to him that he’s not the only veteran in need of a cane — a safe, sturdy one that had as much personality as him.
Jamie, who served in the Army for 8 years had been left 100% disabled and unable to work.
Rather than sit at home “feeling sorry” for himself, Jamie decided to do something to help others.
“This is all out of kindness. I do everything out of pocket and from donations.”
The cane Jamie had originally been given had “no style, kept collapsing and wasn’t trustworthy.”
Jamie originally turned to a Florida organization called Free Canes for Veterans, but when he was told they were all out, he learned to make his own with the help of the organization’s founder Oscar Morris.
With his newfound skill, Jamie started making canes for others.
“When I successfully sat down and made my very first cane, I asked [Oscar] if I could branch off and start Canes for Veterans in Central Texas, and he said he would love for me to do that,” shares Jamie.
With the help of donated Christmas trees and monetary gifts from others, Jamie has been able to make over 200 canes for veterans worldwide!
(MSN)
