Saturday, September 10, 2011

Support the Troops: Holiday Stockings

It is never too early to start thinking about supporting our troops at Christmas.
Operation Holiday Stockings is a nonprofit founded by family members of the United States Armed Forces. Last year they sent 1,560  Christmas stockings to our brave troops overseas. This year they are hoping to send even more. Their website was created to inform other patriotic Americans about their cause and provide a means for you to help. You can either visit the Stockings page and make your own stockings to send overseas, or you can donate money towards the shipping costs, or donate items to fill the stockings with.  Here are some suggestions:
  • Hard Candy
  • Beef Jerky
  • Decks of Cards
  • Puzzle Books
  • Small Toiletries
  • Shaving Cream
  • Toothpaste
  • Tooth Brushes
  • Tic-Tacs®
  • Drink Powders
  • Gatorade®
  • Kool-Aid® (sugar added)
  • Crystal Clear®
  • Mixed Nuts
  • Candy Canes
  • Anything that will last for a while because they will probably be getting more than one care package.
You can also send them a store purchased stocking. So, even if you can't knit a stocking for the troops, you can still contribute to their Christmas celebration. 
Go to their website or email Sue at:
ramsddj@aol.com 

You can send items to

Operation Holiday Stockings
P.O. Box 3186
Sequim, WA 98382

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  as of 10/29/2011  they only have 850 stockings to send to the troops.  They are committed to sending 1600.  This would be an excellent service project for a church group, scout troop, etc.
It is also a great way to involve your own children and let them experience the satisfaction that comes from serving others.
:
 

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I love what you are doing here. I am the mother of a a navy corpsman killed in action during "Operation Enduring Freedom". It really means a lot to see the links you are providing and your sincerity is wonderful. I know my son told me how much he appreciated getting these things while he was in Iraq. God bless you for your efforts.

Debra S Youngblood

Travis L. Youngblood, HM3
1979-2005