Governor Bev Perdue urges North Carolinians to remember our veterans and their families this holiday season, especially residents of the N.C. State Veterans Nursing Homes. One way to do this is to send cards, wish-list gifts or monetary donations to benefit residents.

I want to ask every North Carolinian to think about our veterans this holiday season and recognize their selfless service and their sacrifices, said Governor Perdue. We are in the process of creating two new State Veterans Homes one in the east and one in the west to provide much needed residential healthcare for our veterans, but we can all help more immediately by showing our generosity during the holidays.

Citizens, organizations and businesses can send cards and make holiday donations to provide cheer to residents at the State Veterans Homes in Fayetteville and Salisbury. A monetary contribution will be used to give a resident a gift personally selected for them by staff.

The two homes have a wish list, for those who would like to contribute specific items. Needs at either site include T-shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts in sizes large or extra large; non-skid socks; electric razors; body spray and body wash; lotion or aftershave; and DVDs or games.

Contributions received through the nonprofit Friends of the N.C. State Veterans Homes are tax deductible. Monetary contributions can be made to Friends of the N.C. State Veterans Homes and should be addressed to Holiday Cheer, c/o James Woodard, N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1315. Donations may be accompanied by a signed card or given anonymously.

The Governor recently announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has conditionally approved the states application for federal assistance to build 100-bed State Veterans Homes in Kinston and Buncombe County. Each of the new facilities will provide residential care for up to 100 veterans and will employ 150-170 staff.

The Division of Veterans Affairs in the N.C. Department of Administration administers the 150-bed Fayetteville facility, which opened its doors in 1999, and the 99-bed Salisbury facility, which admitted its first residents in 2004. Wartime veterans receive priority in admission.