The Press invites readers to participate in annual program
BY DEBBIE GALBRAITH
The Lehigh Valley Press invites readers to share some of the warmth of the yuletide season with Keystone Military Families and their Stocking for Soldiers program.
Keystone Military Families’ mission is to provide caring support for deployed military members in all branches of service to our country; no matter where they are stationed in the world. “Our troops give us the freedom to be safe in our homes,” Keystone Military Families said.
Keystone Military Families provides care packages, special holiday packages, letters, cards and more to raise the spirits of the troops with some of the small comforts of home that we enjoy every day.
Kyle Lord, founder, began the program in 2002, when her son’s unit was being deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Lord created a website where friends and family could keep in touch with their loved ones overseas and soldiers could see things were also being taken care of at home. Other units from Pennsylvania began asking if they too could use the website. By 2003, Lord was receiving requests from military families asking for basic essentials to be shipped to the troops.
To date, this initiative has helped thousands of troops serving our country, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but all over the world, even in the USA. All requests come directly from the troops, their families or someone who knows a military member who could use some support from home.
Each package is custom made depending on the needs and request of the troops.
Cindy Mellinger, Blue Ridge Communications marketing/community relations coordinator is handling the donations for the Pencor family of companies which includes The Lehigh Valley Press. Debbie Galbraith, editor, East Penn Press and Salisbury Press, is coordinating donations in the Lehigh Valley.
“Please join us in our 13th year of recognizing and thanking the defenders of our freedom by filling Christmas stockings with the much needed items requested by our troops,” Mellinger said. “As in previous years, we have also sent Christmas cards, with messages of hope and cheer.
“Last year our collection weighed in at over 8,000 pounds of donations including food, hygiene and other requested items, over 32,000 cards and colored stockings (including close to 12,000 crocheted/knitted prayer squares and over $28,000 for shipping,” Mellinger said. “What an amazing show of kindness and support. Our goal is to once again exceed last year’s totals.”
“Our packages go to all branches of the military and to locations in Kuwait, Iraq, Korea, Japan, the Middle East, ships at sea and any other troops who request support from home. All items are sorted and packed according to the requests we get directly from the troops or their families. Since we are gearing up for the holiday season we have added the special holiday items to our list,” Lord said.
We invite our readers to drop off donated items at our office at 1633 N. 26th St., Allentown, until Nov. 11 to ensure the troops receive their stocking by Christmas. Additionally, items may be dropped off at Unangst Tree Farms, 7317 Bath Pike, Bath, through Oct. 31.
A list of requested care package items can be found at www.keystonesmilitaryfamilies.org or www.facebook.com/KeystoneMilitaryFamilies.
For questions, contact Debbie Galbraith at 610-740-0944, extension 3705.