Texas Veterans Express Themselves Through Woodworking
Combining creativity and ingenuity, the Texas Veterans who reside at the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo have created items of beauty and functionality out of mere pallet wood.
It all started with a generous Christmas gift given to the residents by Top Wings, the Amarillo chapter of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA). The members of Top Wings donated a 52-inch Husky mobile workbench with combination storage and lockable tool box. They also included a hand saw, shop-light, wood bit set, screwdriver and assorted drill bit sets, cordless drill with two batteries, and a $50 gift card to Hobby Lobby.
Christine Crabtree, the On-Site Representative for Ussery-Roan, purchased an additional workbench and more woodworking tools. Using these tools and the pallet wood, the men have created a Texas flag, a U.S. flag, a holder for gait belts and canes, and a wooden box bookshelf. They are in the process of making a set of large size dominos (for those who are sight impaired) and a picture frame for a puzzle they assembled.
“Many deliveries to the facility come on pallets. However, pallet wood is hard wood to work with and has a lot of rough edges and flaws, and so only lends itself to a more rough style of items” said Christine.
Both the U.S. and Texas flags were sold in a silent auction which generated funds to purchase better wood and a router.
One resident, Mr. Ford, calls this his hobby shop and says it makes him feel like he’s at home in his own garage. Another resident, Mr. Cook said he really enjoys doing this work as it makes him feel useful.
According to recent findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association, exercising the brain is crucial to keeping it alert and strong. These creative pursuits engage the residents both cognitively and psychologically. This engenders feelings of fulfillment and gives these Texas veterans a new sense of worth and contribution.
All donations are welcome, including better wood for the men to work with, as well as disposable items such as sand paper, work gloves, screws, nails, wood glue, paint brushes and mitre saw blades. Volunteers who have the time, experience and patience to assist are also greatly needed.
To make a donation or to volunteer your time, please contact Lee Persefield at lee.persefield@glo.texas.gov or 806–322–2225. To find out more about the eight Texas State Veterans Homes across Texas please visit TexasVeterans.com.
