As holiday schedules get busy in the coming days and weeks, The Press and Blue Ridge Communications are asking the public to not forget those who have given so much.

Now in its third year of giving, we invite our readers to share in adding some of the warmth of the yuletide season with Keystone Soldiers and its Stockings for Soldiers program, by sending much needed and requested food and hygiene items and Christmas cards to our men and women spending Christmas away from home and stationed in such countries as Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

"We owe today's U.S. service members a debt that can never be repaid," Julianne Farina, marketing/public relations coordinator for Blue Ridge Communications, said.

"Just think of the men and women serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world. They are making tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation and keep America free."

In its 10th year of operation, the Stockings for Soldier program is 100 percent funded by public donations.

"Since the recession, the donations have diminished," Farina said. "As a result, they sometimes have items to ship, but no money to ship them, or they have the funds, but not donations. Here is where we can help. This year we want to stuff Christmas stockings with much needed items, to be sent to our soldiers just in time for Christmas.

The 2011 collection through Blue Ridge Communications was a huge success. Over $1,600 was raised for shipping, and close to two tons of items were collected for stuffing the stockings, as well as more than 1,700 cards for the soldiers.

"We appreciate your support for our troops and for Keystone Soldiers," Kyle Lord, founder of Keystone Soldiers, said after last year's collection. "I would like to thank the Pencor family for their amazing efforts for Keystone Soldiers and for our troops. We have never worked with a group of people who embraced our project with such commitment and vigor.

"It has been a wonderful experience and is appreciated from the bottom of my heart. This project would not have happened without your support. The employees and donors were very special standouts over the holiday season. Their enthusiasm and dedication to our project was unparalleled. Thank you!"

Farina is hoping for the same kind of commitment from the public again this year.

"We would love to support our soldiers near and far," Farina said. "Please join us in recognizing and thanking our defenders of freedom."

A list of requested items can be found at www.stockingsforsoldiers.org.

The Press will be collecting donations at our offices, 1633 North 26th St., Allentown, through Nov. 14.