This past weekend was a busy one for Operation Yellow Ribbon, an organization under the auspices of the afternoon Los Gatos Rotary Club.
Under the leadership of its chairman, Michael Frangadakis, the nonprofit group visited the Fisher House and the Polytrauma Center in Palo Alto last Friday giving wounded soldiers and their families gift certificates and presents.
The Fisher House families, housed in 21 rooms, also received a complete set of pots and pans including glass ware for their kitchen, Frangadakis said.
"We make sure everyone has a good Christmas and we provide $50 gift certificates from Target and a Christmas card of appreciation," Frangadakis said.
At the Trauma Center, Operation Yellow Ribbon also presented a banner signed by many delegates. The soldiers have all suffered serious injuries such as brain and spinal cord trauma or loss of limbs and eyes, he said.
One wounded veteran cheered up by the group was an unidentified Modesto soldier who has earned a Purple Heart for his bravery in combat. The soldier recently married at the hospital and wasn't able to go on a honeymoon.
The high school sweethearts, however, will be sent to Hawaii courtesy of Operation Yellow Ribbon, Frangadakis said.
Operation Yellow Ribbon also provided Christmas for six families from the Emergency Housing Consortium in San Jose on Saturday.
Frangadakis, who's Santa Claus for the club, dressed in his red-and-white suit and was happy to provide some holiday cheer to the less fortunate families.
Operation Yellow Ribbon is funded by the LG Rotary Community Relations Board and private donations of citizens helping the military, Frangadakis said.
