SCRANTON -- There’s a Christmas tree on the second floor of Boscov's department store in Scranton tucked away in the back. On the tree are Christmas lists of items you might not expect.
"Sweaters, socks, slippers, blankets, it's all basic essentials that they're asking for, it's not toys or video games. It's all basics,” said Boscov’s General Manager Steve Vituszynski.
Each list is from a US veteran. One hundred lists are hung on the tree on Black Friday. One by one , Boscov's customers pick an ornament and fulfill the wish lists until Christmas Eve.
The gifts eventually make their way to the halls of the Gino Merli Veterans Center in Scranton.
The donated gifts will go to residents who wouldn't otherwise have a gift to open at the center's annual Christmas Eve party.
“With all the entertainment and families coming in, some of the veterans don't have families coming in because they live so far away. So, this is their home and we want to make it their home and make them as happy and as comfortable as they can be during the holidays," said Pamela Wood, Activities Director at Gino Merli Veterans Center.
The vets said they don't want much for the holidays, but it's nice to receive something from a mystery shopper who picked their name off the tree at Boscov's.
There are still a few vets' names hanging on the tree. Boscov's can accept the gifts through Christmas Eve.
"You go buy it, bring it to our courtesy desk, we wrap it for them and get it taken over and they have a Merry Christmas hopefully,” Vituszynski added.