A thick stack of papers sits on Keith Kidwell’s desk at H&R Block. For a tax professional, this is not an unusual sight. Yet what makes these particular papers special are their contents — each sheet holds the Christmas wishes of individual veterans residing at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston.

For Kidwell and his wife Vicki, and those who volunteer with Magoo’s Christmas 4 Veterans Inc., the goal is to meet as many of these wishes as possible this holiday season. On Dec. 15, the group will deliver the presents to the veterans at the home, along with bulk donations of snacks and drinks for the home’s free canteen.

The nonprofit started four years ago when the Beaufort County Republican Party adopted the State Veterans Home for the holiday season, bringing residents gifts.

“I went down with them and it was just so moving that I felt we needed to do this through my business,” Kidwell recalled.

In that first year, the group collected $1,000 in cash. Each year since, the donations collected have snowballed — $1,300 in 2016, $2,000 in 2017 — and this year, the group is on track to hit $3,500 by delivery day. In order to encourage giving, this year, the group has officially registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, making all donations to the cause tax-deductible.

As to the name of the organization, “Magoo’s Christmas 4 Veterans” the Kidwells chose the moniker to honor Vicki’s late father, Robert “Magoo” Chilar, who was himself a veteran of the Korean War.

“Her dad’s nickname, the whole time he was alive, because he wore these really big, thick glasses, was Mr. Magoo,” Kidwell said. “Everybody just called him Magoo for short.”

With 100 veterans living in the home, at an estimated $40 to $50 in gifts each, it would take approximately $4,000 to $4,500 to completely fulfill all the Christmas wishes for the men and women there. This leaves about $1,500 the group still needs to cover the wishes of the entire home. By shopping around, Kidwell says the organization can sometimes find deals on requested items that help offset the total cost.

All donations go directly towards purchasing the gifts. While this year’s donation delivery is set for next week, Kidwell says that giving is encouraged year-round, as he and those who help run the operation hope to see the nonprofit continue to grow, with a goal of one day taking the organization statewide.

“When I look at these veterans, men and women alike in the home there, I get emotional on it,” Kidwell said. “These people gave everything, whether it was six months, two years, five years, 10 years or 30 years of their lives — for the safety of our nation. That’s a debt we can’t repay, so this is just a small example of what we can and should be doing for our veterans.”

Those wishing to donate to the cause can make checks payable to “Magoo’s Christmas 4 Veterans” and send them to 2013 W. 15^th St., Washington, NC 27889. Options to donate are also available through the nonprofit’s Facebook page. Those shopping online via Amazon can also register the organization as a favorite nonprofit, with a portion of all purchases benefiting