Stockings for Soldiers, Round Two!

Hi Blog Friends,

I am pleased to report that my soldier son, Darin, (who was stationed in Iraq for the past year) is now back in the states safe and sound!  For me.... it was the LONGEST year of my life.  Yup, I am one HAPPY mom that he's back on this side of the world!  He was here for a visit last week, and our oldest grandson was also here at the same time. The weather was unseasonably cool and windy, so we didn't get to do our annual whitewater river rafting trip (Dan is still recovering from hernia surgery), but we took a trip over to the coast one day instead.  


Check out that the size of that redwood tree and the sunbeam..... I love it...and LOVE Oregon!  (And no.... I didn't photoshop the sunbeam, lol.)   :)  

Speaking of soldiers..... my "Stockings for Soldiers" program for this year is well underway! Last year we were able to send almost 300 filled stockings to deployed soldiers in Iraq...with a WHOLE LOT of help from family members and the community of Grants Pass, Oregon.

Back in January of this year, Jonie Anderson called me and asked if it would be OK if the local 4H group sewed the stockings this year. (Jonie was a major product contributor to the stockings last year, she owns Golden Eagle Tobacco company.... an herbal chew alternative). I said "Absolutely, that would be great!" When I hung up the phone, I had to laugh out loud.... because I hadn't actually planned on doing it again this year!  My son wasn't going to be deployed this Christmas. But as she was talking, she was so enthusiastic that I decided I would pick one of Darin's friends who IS deployed, and adopt that soldier's company this Christmas.  

The local 4H group exhibits in a whole building at the Josephine County Fair (in addition to their animal barns at the fair).  They set up a "Stockings for Soldiers" area in one corner of the building, where the 4H kids could come between activities and sew the stockings. The kids did a GREAT job.... they completed over 600 stockings (!) and raised over $1,000 for the stocking stuffers.  They also wrote cards to the soldiers and encouraged fair patrons to do the same.  The local newspaper ran this article on the front page:

AND, the local TV station came and filmed it for the evening news:

That's Jonie helping the kids with the sewing, and the boys in orange are writing cards to the soldiers.  Here's another photo of the booth:

AWESOME job, 4H group members!  Thank you so very much!

Soooo.... now I'm just praying for postage and fillers for these things!  YIKES, it makes me a tad nervous.... It takes approximately $15.00 per stocking to make the stocking, fill it and mail it.  (Postage is approximately $3.00 per stocking, and that's at the discounted military flat rate.) Holy Cow. We were extremely fortunate last year with the donations of merchandise, funds for stocking stuffers and postage funds.  Hopefully, we'll be able to raise the funds and the community will get behind it again. I know the soldiers in my son's company were thrilled to have a reminder from home... at a time when they were missing THEIR family.

Ok, trying not to think about it here.... 600 STOCKINGS!?!?! ohmygosh. That makes my stomach do crazy things.  Anyone with fund raising ideas.... send them on over!  Quick!

I'll be back in a few days with some project instructions.... are you ready for some Christmas projects?!  I'm thinking now's a good time to get started, huh?

See you soon!

Darcie :)

 

 

 

Comments

[kelly Armijo]

Hello!
my name is Kelly Armijo and I am activley involoved in Interact in my school (Illinios Valley HIgh School. Our group thrives on our motto Service above self. When i heard about your program I wanted to get involved is there any way this can happen? thanks!

[Kathy JH]

I was so concerned there was more bad health problems going on. So glad that your son is home! I guess you have done lots of happy dances! Wow - those stockings are amazing - it's nice to have a community who pitches in. Hey - if you want some stamped cards or even a couple of bucks to help with postage - just give me an address and I would be glad to help.

[Linda B]

Hum, fund raisers. What about advertising on your website and at the stamp shows? I hope you get a ton of help, that's a lot of stockings!!

[Jennifer]

Job well done, Darin - THANK you! Good luck with your project, Darcie!

[Penny]

whoa, 600 stockings! I can't even imaging taking on something like that! That is just good stuff there, and I'm sure you'll be rewarded for it. Thank you to your son and ALL of the military for all that you do for our country. It's a huge sacrifice for them AND for their families - so a BIG thank you to you also, Darcie. Hoping you are blessed to overflowing with stuff to fill those things with!!

[geena]

Maybe some of your blog friends would stamp some cards to include with the stockings? This is such a worthwhile project, I hope you get a ton of donations to make it happen! Tell you son thank you very much for his service and bravery, we appreciate very much what the troops are doing for all of us! If I wanted to send something, where would I send it?

[marylou h]

OK, so I'm glad that's the reason for the delay between posts - your son was home! I'm so happy that he made it back safe and sound, I've been praying for him this past year. Thank you for sharing that with us. What a blessing you are to the troops, I hope that you are OVERWHELMED with donations! :)

[georgina]

That's awesome, Darcie! Tell us how we can help!! I wish we lived closer, I'd come on over and help you stuff those things!

[heidi in michigan]

WOW- that is amazing Darcie, what a wonderful project you have going on. I am sure that you will get answered prayers for fillers and postage- it seems like they always come through one way or another. I would love to do something like this locally,...... what a great thing!