Many soldiers serving our country in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq had something to smile about in December 2018 as a result of the generosity of Blue Ridge Communications and Pencor offices and their customers who embraced the Keystone Military Families’ Stockings for Soldiers project.

Keystone Military Families, a non-profit organization, founded by Kyle Lord (a military mother of a soldier who served five tours of duty) began the project in 2002. This year the goal was to send 10,000 stuffed stockings from our communities to the dedicated troops who would not be able to enjoy the comforts of home during this holiday season.

“We at Keystone Military Families have been blessed by the way we have been embraced by this community,” Lord said. “Every year you open your hearts to let those serving our great nation know they have not been forgotten back home. Our project could never happen without such generosity and Christmas spirit. To all the donors and volunteers at Blue Ridge Communications, the town of Ephrata and surrounding communities of central PA, and indeed everyone that had a part of this year’s campaign we cannot thank you enough. Your enthusiasm and dedication truly warms our hearts. These gifts will surely convey the spirit of Christmas and the best wishes of the holiday season to every military member who receives them. Thank you for your continued support over these last nine years.”

Lord also went on to say, “I hope and pray that as long as there are troops away from home and facing danger our partnership of support will continue to show them we care, we miss them and we are forever proud of them. May all of you enjoy the blessings of this holiday season with family and friends and please say a prayer for those who cannot be with their families.”

Cindy Mellinger, marketing/community relations coordinator for Blue Ridge Communications, said, “This year we broke all records with our collection weighing in at close to four tons (8,000 pounds) in donations including food, hygiene and other requested items, over 20,000 signed cards and $30,000 raised for shipping.

“Thank you to everyone who embraced this project. I can’t thank everyone enough. A special acknowledgement goes to the many churches, civic organizations, schools, individuals and many businesses who took a personal interest in making the holidays brighter for this dedicated group of men and women.

“I have been privileged to be the project coordinator for this endeavor for the past nine years and each year I continue to be amazed by the overwhelming compassion shown by the Blue Ridge Communications’ viewing area. Due to your generous support, our service men and women received a loving reminder from home over the Christmas season. These gifts will serve as powerful messages of joy and hope to our men and women serving around the world, as they are so appreciative of the outpouring of kindness. Thank you!”

Following the collection, Lord concluded by saying, “I am truly honored to be able to work with such loving, giving people. Every year the support and enthusiasm grows bigger than the year before and more of our troops know that they are loved and supported back home. Thank you so very much for your continued support for our military & their families.”

In the Lehigh Valley, Trudy Unangst, Unangst Tree Farms, LLC became a collection site for Christmas cards and donations. Many of the churches and clubs participated as well. Seventh grade students at Salisbury Middle School made cards for the soldiers to go with the stockings.

For all of those individuals and groups who contributed, thank you so much.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KeystoneMilitaryFamilies.