PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A local Army veteran is raising funds to buy blankets, socks, and other items for VA patients for Christmas.
Rick Mulligan started the VA Christmas Project in 2019; he's given hundreds of gift bags out since his nonprofit began.
Mulligan told News 3 he does this so veterans aren't forgotten.
"That's the payoff — that I brought a smile to someone's face," said Mulligan.
The gift bags also have homemade cards from local elementary school kids.
Mulligan is having a fundraising event this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25, at Bayside Harley Davidson in Portsmouth.
There will be a mechanical bull, music, hot dogs and drinks. All proceeds will go to this year's VA Christmas Project.
More than 100 patients are currently on the list.
