On December 14, 1944, Red Cross volunteers could barely be seen behind the mountain of wrapped Christmas gifts destined for military patients at the Madigan General and McChord Field Station Hospitals. Pierce and Thurston County chapters of the Red Cross coordinated the gift program. Surveys were conducted to find out what the servicemen wanted most for Christmas and among presents included in the gift packages were packs of cigarettes and books. Hundreds of local clubs and organizations responded with donations and help including the Mary Ball chapter of the D.A.R., the Junior Red Cross, the Council of Jewish Women and the Franklin PTA.
