Mark your calendar for tomorrow, September 15.
That's the date when you can go online to Operation Give and participate in Operation Christmas Stocking by purchasing a pre-filled Christmas stocking or gift bag of goodies for deployed American trrops.
That's the "no-excuse" way of participating in this effort, co-sponsored by Operation Give and Target. Their goal: Put one of these Christmas stockings, bags or gifts into the hands of all 100,000+ deployed soldiers. Last year, they shipped 50,000 tons of them overseas!
If you prefer to buy or make your own stocking or gift bag, you can take advantage of Operation Christmas Stocking's partnership with Fed Ex to ship yours to their base of operations in Salt Lake City (contact operationgive@comcast.net for shipping instructions). Here are a few suggestions from Operation Christmas Stocking for things to put in your Christmas stocking or gift bag:
| Christmas Cards | Socks | Harmonica |
| CD's/DVD's | Games | Yo-yo |
| Hand sanitizer | Deodorant | Travel clock |
| Wet Ones | Lotion | Playing cards |
| Chap stick | Eye Drops | Sunglasses |
| Shampoo/conditioner | Bug spray | Calendar |
| Shaving Cream | Diposable razors | Small flashlight |
| Sunscreen | Lip balm | Small multi-tool |
| Clip-on Lights | AT&T Calling cards | Dominos |
| Tiny personal fan | Pen/Mechanical pencil | Small picture frames |
| Toothbrush/paste | Dental floss | individual pkg. of tissue |
| Inflatable beach ball | ||
If your organization, office or family is looking for a fall project, why not this one? Just think of all the fun you'll have building your stockings, and the satisfaction of putting a smile on the face of deployed soldiers this Christmas. Just remember, they have to be in the Salt Lake City Warehouse before November 1, when they'll be shipped overseas.
BUT - if you don't have time to do this for our troops, go online to Operation Christmas Stocking to buy one after September 15.
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
__________________________________
Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL
FREE home search online (No registration required)
FREE home search APP for your iPhone/iPad (demo)
FREE online relocation information
Check my reviews on Zillow
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500
That is very nice. I hope this year more can be sent out so no one gets left out.
Margaret, so many people are under the misconception that our troops have ready access to commissarys and such while they are overseas.
Many do not.
I've marked my calendar, thank you. I've also jotted a mental list of things I would like to purchase to gift to these fine men and women who are so far away from home for us.
Margaret-thanks for the reminder. I'm part of a group that collects paperback books and used DVD's to ship over to the troops and as far as I'm concerned you can never do enough to support the troops or the families of deployed troops.
This is an awesome way to give back. I will include my kids. Can I post this on my blog site "You Blog" ?
Hi Margaret, thanks for the post and reminder that we should never forget our troops. They do need our support. Our club, works with a local support group, who sends these necessities and other goodies to the troops on a regular basis. We should remember them particular during the holidays.
Sherry, that's awesome!
Lisa, yes, of course - I'll check to make sure I've checked "re-blog" so you can just do that instead of having to re-frame it.
Cindy - How about a local ActiveRain workshop... we each bring $50 worth of goodies to fill stockings or gift bags?
Kris - I'm torn - a gift donation makes it easy and done. But I think it would be fun to participate in a stocking-stuffing workshop, such as the one I proposed to Cindy.
Angelia - Spread the word in your community! I learned about this from my local salon, where they had a huge display in their retail area of appropriate things to include in stockings and gift packages.
Margaret, thank you for sharing this great information with us. I have a client who will be heading back for his second tour in a month or so. I don't know how is family copes but they do. BTW, I hope your family in Texas are okay?
Diane, yes thank you! My son in Houston has no power, but no flooding in his immediate area and all fallen trees missed his house. He hasn't had a chance to check his downtown office yet, as fallen trees block his driveway and street. My daughter in DFW experienced only rain and high winds, but no power outage or other issues. I appreciate your asking.
As to your client's family, why not share this information with them, or organize a workshop in your neighborhood or office to fill stockings, and include them? That show of support would probably mean a great deal to them and cement them as clients for life.
Margaret - this is a great way for us to show our gratitude to our men and women in the military. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the reminder. We all get so wrapped up in our day-to-day issues that we tend to forget the folks that protect the many freedoms we have in this country.
Margaret- What an awesome way to thank our troops and show them our loving support for all they do every single day for our freedom. Thank you for sharing this post and I flagged it for a star because many people should get involved with this.
Katerina - And a great project for home-schoolers, don't you think?
Chris - So true!
Judy - Thanks for your support. Please spread the word!
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for posting the reminder. This is a great cause, one that is so well received during the Holidays!
Margaret - great reminder. This is something everyone can and should participate in. Those young men and women are far from home at a time when we're meant to all be around the home fires. This will help bring a little ray of sunshine when they need it! If you don't mind, I would love to reblog this.
Jesse - Go for it! I hope someone reblogs it every week until Nov. 1!
Hal - Thanks for commenting
Alright, I must be getting stupid and senile. I can not for the life of me figure out how to reblog this. We were on vacation when they rolled this little feature out, so if you have any clues I would loooove to hear them.
Dense in Fairbanks :)