Local senior group creates and collects ornaments for veterans

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee has five senior centers that are utilized for hosting a variety of classes, from dance to woodcarving and burning. All of the groups are made of members 50 years old and up, and they give seniors a chance to socialize and meet like-minded people. The Woodcarvers and Burners group at the Wilson Park Senior Center was established more than 30 years ago.

For the fifth year in a row, the group is making ornaments to take to the veterans at the VA Hospital.

"There are a number of veterans -- Frank is a veteran as well, Bill is a veteran, there are a number of veterans involved in this group," said Ed Thomas, the secretary of the group and an Air Force Reserve veteran.

"I'm carving this like I would work on a carrot," said Thomas.

It sounds a lot like Thanksgiving dinner is being made here at the Wilson Park Senior Center.

"I like to try to slice rather than just pull down, like I'm slicing a ham or turkey," said John Gehrman, the group president.

But it looks more like Santa's workshop as group members chip away at wood to create ornaments. On Wednesday, Nov. 22, they'll bring hundreds of them to the VA Hospital in Milwaukee.

"They take them from room to room to the veterans to be able to pick an ornament for their room. And if there are any remaining ornaments, they hang them on the tree throughout the VA," said Thomas.