Where have all the soldiers gone ...

gone to war zones everyone.  That's where our soldiers are, and the morale is low.  I've been receiving letters from various military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait asking if we can include them this year.  My answer of course is yes.  So far we are committed to sending out 975 stockings, and this is just August.  The theme in each request has been how low the morale is because the soldiers want to be home, especially for the holidays.  They are feeling more forgotten the more years we have troops in these areas.  I know all of you are committed to remembering our troops and so for the 8th year, we are sending our stockings. 

I am confident we will have enough stockings and items for the stockings.  We have knitters, crocheters and sewers working away on stockings, so that will be covered.  I am concerned, however, about the money for postage.  We currently have $100 and will probably need about $1300 this year.  The dollar is tighter this year so each donation of $1.00 is more precious.  Again, I am relying on faith that the funds will come in.  Please let everyone know that any amount will be very much appreciated.  We are getting closer to getting the 501(c)(3) status, but the IRS seems to need "just one more piece of information."  It's been almost a year working on this.  We will keep you posted on this status.  We also have a new address for Operation Holiday Stockings:

Operation Holiday Stockings
P.O. Box 3186
Sequim, WA 98382

The past couple of weeks I have received boxes of stockings and as usual, they are beautiful.

These are from Hyla in Los Altos, California.

Paula in Columbia, Missouri knit these for us.

Finally, Mary from Green Bay, Wisconsin knit these for us.

If I could I would share some of the emails I have received, but the information is confidential.  Please pray for the safety of our troops, and remember that any contribution you or a friend, relative or co-worker can make for postage will go a long way to let our troops know we haven't forgotten them.

Sleep tight tonight in your warm beds, and say a prayer of thanks for those who serve for us.

TTFN

Sue