Californian woman raises troop morale and funds with 'Pin-Ups for Vets' calendar

Washington, Jan 8 (ANI): A woman from California has found a novel way of raising the morale of troops, and also funds for U.S. military hospitals with her third annual "Pin-Ups For Vets" calendar.

Gina Elise, 26, herself poses for the calendars, wearing costumes that were popular among America's fighting men in the 1940s, with profits from the sales providing assistance to the hospitals.

"About two years ago I started hearing stories of wounded soldiers that were coming back to under funded hospitals, so I just decided that I really wanted to do something to help out," Fox News quoted her as saying.

"I've always been a huge fan of the pin-up era, so I figured I can sort of combine my love for this era to not only use the money for the hospitals but also help boost morale with the calendars themselves," she said.

The UCLA grad started spreading the word about the project in hopes of enlisting some help, and takes time to mail her orders in a care package, or delivers them herself if they are for those recovering in U.S. hospitals.

"I go there and I ask things like their name and their birthday and show them their birth month on the calendar. A lot of these veterans don't get visitors, so to see their reaction when I show up is really rewarding," she said.

Loreleye Winn, Director of Voluntary Resources at San Diego's Veterans Administration Hospital, recalled one of Elise's visits.

"She was dressed like a '40s pin-up lady and she passed out some calendars to the patients and went around to their bedsides," Winn said.

"They really enjoyed it and it just was a pleasure to have someone come in and visit," she added. (ANI)