MIAMI – Miami homeowner and Vietnam Army veteran Robert Delgado was the recipient of Florida Power & Light’s annual volunteer house decorating effort, bringing Christmas early to Delgado and his wife.
“He’s an older man and he’s had a lot of health issues over the years, so he hasn’t been able to, unfortunately, decorate his home,” FPL spokeswoman Mariela Quintanilla said.
Frank Cantero is a Gulf War veteran and one of the FPL volunteers who helped to decorate Delgado’s home.
“He served this country at a time when veterans weren’t welcomed the way they are now," Cantero said.
After a busy few afternoon hours, the FPL volunteers were ready for the magical reveal.
“It’s an ability to share with him what I’ve been benefitting from being a recent veteran,” Cantero said.
The Delgados arrived to a beautifully decorated home.
“My kids can’t be here for Christmas, so we weren’t planning anything and he has been feeling very bad, so this is just a beautiful gift,” Ofelia Delgado said.
His children did get to see the decorations via a cellphone video chat.
“We’re clapping, we’re cheering and we’re giving them hugs," Quintanilla said. “It’s so good to see their reaction.”
This is the eleventh year that FPL has decorated a holiday home for a South Florida veteran.