Knapheide’s annual tradition of providing gifts for our local military veterans continued this holiday season with the return of the Knapheide Veterans Tree. 

In 2021, with the help of our wonderful employees, Knapheide was able to collect and donate hundreds of gifts to residents of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois. 

“It was a monumental year for the Illinois Veterans Home and Knapheide employees,” said Debbie Pursifull, who serves as a strategic buyer for Knapheide Truck Equipment Center and also helps organize the annual gift drive. “This was our fifth year of providing presents to the veterans.”

Loading three Knapheide KUV bodies full of presents on Thursday, December 16, Knapheide’s manufacturing employees and those at our local Truck Equipment Centers were able to provide gifts for 225 Veterans Home residents during this year’s event.

“Our mission is to take care of the most in need, meaning those who have no extra income at the end of the month and those who unfortunately have no living relatives to share the holidays with,” Pursifull said. This year, with the help of a nice donation from Chemline Cares, we were able to see that every resident received a present.”

In all, veterans were provided with everything from 100 electric razors, clothing (including winter coats, hats, gloves, and socks), music, gift cards, snacks, candy, and word searches. In addition, students from Quincy Public Schools provided 300 Christmas cards as part of this year’s effort.

“It was an exceptional year of giving and we are grateful to be able to return the favor to these men and women who have served for us,” Pursifull offered.

Knapheide extends its sincere gratitude and thanks to all those who took part in this year’s opportunity to provide for our wonderful military veterans. 

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