Meet the Texas man who helps veterans and others — with your leftover Christmas trees

Jamie Willis served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1998 and now provides a service to his fellow veterans.

He makes canes for them from his Central Texas home and this year is asking folks to donate their Christmas trees as materials.

Willis followed the lead of another veteran in starting his hobby.

“The idea came from Oscar Morris, a fellow veteran who runs a program called Free Canes for Veterans who lives in Florida,” Wills told McClatchy News. “I saw that he was making canes for veterans in his area and I became interested and asked him if he minded if I started something like that here in Texas and he told me to please do it.”

Morris taught Willis how to go about making canes from trees and in 2016, Canes for Veterans Central Texas was launched in Copperas Cove, about 10 miles west of Fort Hood.

“Most veterans hate the canes the VA gives them because they break easily,” Willis told McClatchy News. “When people see a veteran in public, the look at the cane and begin to ask about the type of disability you have. Now, with personalized canes, people take their attention off of the disability and pay more attention to the cane.”

For Willis, the benefits of cane-making is two-fold. Besides assisting veterans, he is helping himself.

“Sitting down and working with a piece of wood is peaceful,” he said. “It helps with my PTSD and keeps me busy,” he said. “There was a time in my life where I wanted to take my life like some of my fellow veterans have, so i’m hoping this can help them too. I’m hoping getting the recognition out there, they will turn to something like this instead.”

Willis makes the canes for free, but does charge if he has to ship. So far, he has shipped two personalized canes to Germany and one to England.

Personalized canes come in a specific length and can include whatever the recipient requests, including their branch of the military and pins and badges that align with their service. He doesn’t just make canes for veterans either, he will make one who anyone in need.

As of Christmas Day, Willis has made 223 canes for veterans and non-veterans.

“I just want to thank my fellow veterans for their service and this is how I choose to help,” he said.

Donate a Christmas tree

Christmas tree donations can be dropped off at 2001 Jesse Dr., Copperas Cove, KXXV reported. To learn more about Canes for Veterans Central Texas, visit their Facebook page.