NATCHEZ — A little more than a year ago, Natchez resident Emilee McGarry Beach began rebuilding a local program for senior veterans at the Natchez Senior Citizens Center called, “Coffee with Veterans.” The program has grown and this year, she is trying to include gifts for the veterans as well as other seniors utilizing the facility.

“The group meets for coffee monthly and we prepare and serve breakfast for those who attend,” Beach said. “It is a great time for the seniors, especially the veterans, to come together and share stories and fellowship.”

The program was cut a few years back because of lack of funding, but Beach and others have been working this past year to revitalize the group and it has seen growth.

“I know that for some of them, this is the only time they get out of their homes and have something social to do,” Beach said. “They look forward to it and I think it is the least I can do to give back to those who have done so much for others.”

Beach and some of her coworkers at the Corrections Corporation of America facility on Highway 84 decided to adopt all of the seniors at the center this year for Christmas. There are more than 200 seniors there, and nearly 100 who are currently not sponsored.

“We are looking to get a little something for them this year and while we have seen a great response, there are still several left who could use something,” Beach said. “We are looking for canned goods, gift cards or anything they can use to help them.”

Many of the seniors at the center are living on fixed incomes that make purchasing food and medicine difficult.

“Some of the seniors are having to decide if they can pay an electric bill to keep their utilities going or pay for the medical supplies they need,” Beach said. “Something as simple as a gift card could mean a great deal to them.”

Beach hopes to have gifts secured for all of the seniors by the December 11th Christmas party at the center.

“The seniors are so appreciative of anything and everything,” Beach said. “It is such a wonderful feeling to spend time with them every month, especially the veterans, and hear their stories and just let them know someone cares for them.”

Beach feels the seniors are often times overlooked. Many of them are without family members in the area and most have lost their spouses. Her passion for this group may be attributed to her late grandfather, Billy Aldridge, who was an Army veteran and supported her efforts with the seniors. He passed away in May of this year.

“I do feel they are our greatest generation,” Beach said. “They have so much to offer as far as their experiences and knowledge and I think it would be great for us to show them we appreciate them and come together to support them.”

Aside from gift cards and canned goods, Beach said the seniors are in need of other common items like slippers, socks, t-shirts and toiletry items.

She hopes the gifts will go over well and continue every year. She also hopes to see the veteran’s coffee program grow.

“I would like to see the program for veterans grow and have enough funding to allow them stop by anytime and enjoy a cup of coffee with each other,” Beach said. “I want them to continue to have a place to go.”

Beach hopes people will make an individual effort to visit with seniors who they may know will be spending Christmas alone.

Those looking for more information about the Coffee with Veterans program can contact the Natchez Senior Citizens Center by calling 601-442-5082 and speaking to Director of Client Services, Margaret Harveston. Anyone wishing to contact Emilee about adopting a senior for Christmas can email her at emileebeach13@gmail.com