Serving in the military, while a noble calling, can be challenging and difficult, especially during the holidays. In order to offer these brave women and men some holiday spirit, the Meyersdale Area School District has launched its annual Stockings for Soldiers! Students, staff and faculty are looking forward to another year of collecting and sending special gifts to area service members as they so selflessly and bravely serve our country.
For more than eight years, the district has been holding an annual food/comfort items drive for soldiers.These items are boxed up and sent to local men and women deployed throughout the world. Each box also contains “extra” items for recipients to share with their squad members. This event is organized by Ms. Tammy Hetrick and Mrs. Ginger Geiger.
The items requested for the Stockings for Soldiers Drive include: puzzle books, magazines, card/travel games, candy canes, individually wrapped hard candy, bubble gum, protein, granola and breakfast bars, sunflower seeds, trail mix, individual cookie or pretzel packets, beef jerky, single-packet flavored drink mixes, and personal care items, such as shaving cream, razors, deodorant and sunscreen. Donations are also accepted to help defer the growing cost of postage.
A homeroom competition has been set up for students in grades 6-8. The homeroom bringing in the most donations, monetary and items, will receive a pizza party for their efforts!
“Middle school students always rise to the occasion for this donation drive. Many of our students have a personal connection to various branches of the military,” Hetrick explained. “This connection is what makes the event such a success. It is a way for students to express their appreciation and it helps them to feel as if they are making a difference as well.”
“I am very grateful to the MASD students, faculty, staff, administration and the community for their donations. Something so small brings a smile to someone’s face who deserves so much more for their service. I would like to thank the men and women who serve our country and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas,” added Geiger.
ntributions, in addition to monetary donations from area individuals, allowed the volunteers to package and ship more than 20 boxes. “We want to thank everyone for their generosity. We were able to ship 24 boxes and extra items were sent to help out in Kentucky so the donations were more important than ever,” she explained.
Geiger and Hetrick said the continued support of their project is heartwarming, but not surprising. “Our students have an immensely generous and giving spirit that each year quickly reminds me of all those blessings that I often take for granted. I know how deep our students dig to make this project a success every single year,” Hetrick explained. “They make me proud in that they realize the sacrifice that this Nation’s military have made and continue to make on a daily basis; and that they, our students, want to recognize that sacrifice and make a difference in their own way as well. After all, isn’t that the true spirit of Christmas?”
