Stockings For Soldiers

The Lehigh Valley Press, a division of Times News LLC, a Pencor company, will once again partner with Keystone Military Families to act as a collection site for Stockings for Soldiers. The program generally ships 8,000 to 10,000 holiday stockings to American servicemen and women stationed around the world.

The stockings are filled with donations of food, hygiene and other requested items, as well as holiday decorations and cards. These simple gifts mean a great deal to the very deserving men and women who sacrifice so much for us and are unable to be home for the holidays.

Nov. 8 will be the last day The Press will collect donations at its office at 1633 N. 26th St., Allentown. Readers are invited to drop off donated items and Christmas cards with messages of hope and cheer during that time.

Unangst Tree Farms, 7317 Bethlehem-Bath Pike, Bath, has agreed to be a collection site for this program as well.

A list of requested care package items can also be found at The Press office and on the Keystone Military Families Facebook page.

Monetary donations are crucial to help defray the cost of shipping the stockings.

In 2018, Pencor collected more than four tons of donations, 20,000-plus cards and $30,000 for shipping.

“The generosity, support and kindness of our community for this program is overwhelming and makes me so proud to help lead this effort once again,” Cindy Mellinger, Blue Ridge marketing/communications coordinator, said. “Our goal for this year is to do better because our military men and women deserve it.”

Contact Debbie Galbraith at 610-740-0944, ext. 3705, for further information.