Hiatus

It's been a long while I know.  December was a busy month but also a wonderful month. 

January was a dark month, a long month, and a month of new routines and adjustments.   I was also in hibernation.

February ... well February is starting out to be a month of longer days and sunshine.  I'm finally coming out of hibernation.

I will be trying to get up to date on Operation Holiday Stockings, knitting, and anything else that might possibly be of interest to someone. 

To everyone who keeps checking in on the blog, thanks for your patience.

I need to tell everyone about the miracle we experienced in December.

We received requests for approximately 2900 stockings this year for Operation Holiday Stockings.  We had about 2000 and were going to have to say no to several unit commanders who requesting stockings for their troops to help with a very low morale over the holidays.  We prayed for and received a miracle.  I put out the word of our dilemma and we received stockings up to the last day we sent out boxes.  Below are pictures of stockings we got from school groups, businesses, and individuals who came to the rescue.  Yes, we were able to fill all of the requests and sent out 2970 stockings for 2011.  To everyone who participated in Operation Holiday Stockings 2011, THANK YOU!!! 

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
2011

Susan B. of Bellevue, Washington
Barbara B. of Appleton, Wisconsin
Paula of Columbia, Missouri
Linda B. of Kirkland, Washington
Hyla of Los Altos, California
Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness of Seattle, Washington
Costco Wholesale of Kirkland, Washington
Eastside Knitting Guild of Bellevue, Washington
Elaine of Seattle, Washington
SalonCentric of Redmond, Washington
Dianna of Lyle, Washington
Laura of Port Angeles, Washington
Lisa of Bellevue, Washington
Jeri of Henderson, Nevada
Ladies of the Elks of Sequim, Washington
Diana of Marysville, Washington
Alan Nohr, DDS of Redmond, Washington
Mary of Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sheryl of Sandy, Utah
Susan M. of Bellevue, Washington
Mallary of Salt Lake City, Utah
Susan R. of Sequim, Washington
Pat R. of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Lorainia of Ogilvie, Minnesota
Karen of Thousand Oaks, California
Judi of Portland, Oregon
Steve’s Repair of Sequim, Washington
Betty of Seattle, Washington
Linda T. of Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Pat T. of Beaverton, Oregon
Joe of San Francisco, California
Stephanie of Bellevue, Washington
Gillian of Edmonds, Washington
Leslie of Sequim, Washington
Sandra H. of Shoreline, Washington
John of Bellevue, Washington
Katie of Bellevue, Washington
Leanna of Bellevue, Washington
Ricardo’s Family Mexican Restaurant of Bellevue, Washington
Kari of Bellevue, Washington
David R. of Sequim, Washington
Lake Hills Orthodontics of Bellevue, Washington
Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue, Washington
Aerowood Animal Hospital of Bellevue, Washington
Hotel Sierra of Bellevue, Washington
Northwest Insurance Center, Inc. of Mercer Island, Washington
Property Maintenance Service Co., Inc. of Maple Valley, Washington
Illinois Tool Works Foundation of Glenview, Illinois
Susan W. of Bothel, Washington
Linda K. of Seattle, Washington
Ellen Reh DDS of Bellevue, Washington
Donna of Snoqualmie, Washington
Gary T of Duvall, Washington
Amy of Seattle, Washington
Jean of Mukilteo, Washington
Karen of Thousand Oaks, California
Heidi of Seattle, Washington
Cheryl of Tukwila, Washington
Dave R of Bellevue, Washington
Rebecca of Louisville, Kentucky
Susan M. of Lakewood, Colorado
Georgia of Renton, Washington
Deb of Shoreline, Washington
Lil Jon’s Retired Military Coffee Guys of Bellevue, Washington
Susan L. of Stratham, New Hampshire
Gary K. of Seattle, Washington
Jeffrey Johnson DDS of Bellevue, Washington
Jeffrey H. of Seattle, Washington
Pam H. of Seattle, Washington
Cynthia of Seattle, Washington
Rita of Lauderhill, Florida
Morry of Everett, Washington
Employees of Cummins Bridgeway of Hubbard, Ohio
Cub Scouts Pack 517 of Covington,. Washington
Jim B. of Seattle, Washington
Marina of Bremerton, Washington
De of Sequim, WA
Joy of Eureka, Illinois
Susan V of Bellevue, Washington
David & Rachel of Portland, Oregon
The Employees of Russell Construction of Tualatin, Oregon
Joni of Erie, Colorado
Shanda of Seattle, Washington
Kim of Canon City, Colorado
Linda of Pendleton, Oregon
Jeri of Henderson, Nevada
Jim & Pat of Seattle, Washington
GA’s and Mission Friends of First Baptist Church of Granite Falls, North Carolina
Seven Cedars Casino of Blyn, Washington
Walmart of Sequim, Washington
Northwest Eye Surgeons of Sequim, Washington
Maggie of Sequim, Washington
Tasha of Denver, North Carolina
Gail of Seattle, Washington
Mary of Arlington, Maryland
Mike Z. of Bellevue, Washington
Jay & Gina of Bellevue, Washington
Cathy T. of Seattle, Washington
Bobbe of Seattle, Washington
Gail of Seattle, Washington
Dick & Nancy of Bellevue, Washington
Sue I. of Bellevue, Washigton
Girl Scout Troop 52107 of Shoreline, Washington
Alpha Delta Kappa of Seattle, Washington
Pat & Violet of Milwaukie, Oregon
Mike & Karen of Tigard, Oregon
Tiffanie of Portland, Oregon
Angelea of Tigard, Oregon
Michael of Wilsonville, Oregon
John & Shelly of West Linn, Oregon
Donn & Lisa of Sherwood, Oregon
Jim V. of Portland, Oregon
TAD PGS, Inc. of Garden Grove, California
Liberty Elementary of Azle, Texas
Louanne of The Dalles, Oregon
Edna of Sequim, Washington
Stephanie Marvin, DDS of Seattle, Washington
Marlys of Seattle, Washington
Lana of Seattle, Washington
Lisa M. of Seattle, Washington
Spaulding Elementary School of Midlothian, Illinois
Peg of Normandy Park, Washington
Napoleon High School of Jackson, Michigan
Karen B. of Edmonds, Washington
American Legion Post 161 of Redmond, Washington



And the Beat Goes On ....





 What began as a simple request from a deployed son to a mom for a few holiday stockings for his troops has snowballed into the nonprofit Operation Holiday Stockings.  We are compelled to continue on this project because we need to.  We are receiving all of our requests this year directly from the deployed troops.  You read the following comments and tell me how to stop sending out these stockings.





Valerie in Seattle knit these patriotic stockings!

 From Afghanistan:  ... "is a fairly new squadron, activated just over a year, is looking for ways to show our soldiers they are thought of and to give them a little bit of home while they are away--especially during the holiday season. Please let us know if your program would be able to support us in any way. We appreciate your generosity. "



These are from the knitters of the Eastside Knitting Guild

 From Afghanistan:  A Company Family Readiness Leader asked for stockings "to aid with overall morale of the soldiers and my fellow battle-buddies…A lot of soldiers here get gloomy around (the holidays) during deployment so it's my job to try and get their spirits back up. Some of them do not receive care packages from their family. I believe this would be a great way to boost everyone's morale and get their spirits up. Thank you for all that you do."

More from the Eastside Knitting Guild

From Kuwait …"a member of the Junior Enlisted Council of military personnel from all branches with ranks E6 and below whose mission is to try to make surroundings on their small base a home away from home as they process service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Waiting for transport home, there is not much for these service personnel to do on base. Since the USO club's air conditioner is broken, the club is only open a few hours a day, which strains morale. The Council is planning a big holiday party to boost morale and is looking for any type of donations to make it special. Any assistance we can give in anyway no matter how big or small is greatly appreciated."



Deb went on a shopping spree for us.

From Kuwait:  "Thank You for replying.  If no problem I have 10 soldiers in my section.  Happy Thanksgiving!  God Bless You."



The Cub Scouts of Pack 517 of Covington decorated these for the troops.

From Afghanistan:  "I am currently serving in Afghanistan till march 2012. I have 7 soldiers in my aviation cell, that I would love to give care packages/stockings to for Christmas. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks."

Karen in Thousand Oaks knit up this group of fun stockings.

From Afghanistan:  "I was wondering, how does one request stockings? I am coordinating a Christmas event for the unit. I have about 250 troops here in the middle east away from family and love ones over the holidays. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and definitely improve morale. Thank you for your time."



Susan L knit these for us ...

From Afghanistan:  "I am very grateful to you and your organization. I can't tell you how many soldiers tell me they are gloomy because of their Christmas being in Afghanistan and not home." 

and then pulled out her sewing machine to make these ...

Undisclosed Location Squadron … is putting together a holiday party. Most have families back home they will miss during yet another holiday season. Anything that could be sent to help will greatly affect our morale for the better! Thank you for your time and caring for your troops."

 

and these.

From Afghanistan:  "I am inquiring to see how my 18 man team can be included in receiving stockings? We are currently deployed to Afghanistan and will be here until May of next year."

Elaine heard of our need for stockings and went shopping for us.

From Afghanistan:  … "is currently in Afghanistan.  How do we become one of the lucky Soldiers to receive some of those awesome stockings for the holidays?"

Susan M of Bellevue has done it again, 305 stockings for OHS.

Undisclosed Location:  … "my squadron is having a holiday party for all of us who are currently in an undisclosed location … (deployed).  We are trying to put together a holiday party. Most of us have families back home that we will miss for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, birthdays, and many more. Anything that could be sent to help our party out will greatly affect our morale for the better!  If I could get some stockings for this event to pass out as door prizes or prizes for some games we will be putting on that would be very helpful. If something like this is not possible I will completely understand. Thank you for your time and caring for your troops."

Rebecca sent us these beautiful knit, sewn and stockings she purchased for us. 

From Afghanistan:  ..."but if we can only get 5 it would be greatly appreciated. To have a stocking or small knick-nack for every person would be awesome though. But anything sent … will be very much appreciated!" 

Today I received this request and still haven't replied because I don't know if we can fill it.  We will, of course do what we can, but I am having a hard time telling this soldier that 500 is too many for us.  What should I say?

From Kuwait:  "We're currently deployed to Kuwait for the remainder of our deployment from Iraq. We spent five months at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Our unit has 500 Soldiers who will be stranded in Kuwait for the Christmas season."

I have to be honest with all of you, this has been an emotional year for me.  Reading these letters from our deployed troops, who are giving of their time, energy, and lives, is tearing up my heart.  I want all of them home, but can't do that, so we send stockings.  All of us involved in OHS this year have commented on how we are getting requests for stockings just from the deployed soldiers.  We have also noticed how humble they are in their requests and how grateful for anything we can send to them.  This is why I don't have time to knit.  This is why we do what we do each year.  OHS isn't just about me, it's about the troops and the group of wonderful volunteers who have worked on this project from the very beginning. 

Oh, and yes, this is why my house currently looks like this ....

and this ...

Well, off to open up some more packages of stockings, sort through some donated goods, and get ready to stuff more stockings.  For all of you who have supported OHS this year, and in years past, THANKS.  All of you are awesome. 

TTFN

Sue



We've Been Busy

Stephanie in Bellevue, Washington knit these for us!

This is the time of year where I turn my house over to Operation Holiday Stockings.  This is the time of year we receive requests to send stockings to our deployed troops.  This year we have received the requests directly from the soldiers, and we aren't saying no to any of them.

Linda of Cherry Hill, New Jersey knit up this batch!

During the month of November we sort the items donated for the stockings, and start stuffing them for mailing to the troops.

Lorainia of Ogilvie, Minnesota made these for us.

 It's a labor of love for everyone involved.  It's the least we can do for these soldiers who are away from home for the holidays. 



Diana of Marysville, Washington knit these darling stockings.

One of the pure delights of stuffing these stockings is looking at each individual stocking and see the love and support that goes into each one.







Elaine and Lisa knit these for us.

After they have been stuffed, the are a nice token of our appreciation to the troops in places we've never thought of going to.

Dianna in Lyle, Washington has been busy!

They miss being home for the holidays, and we miss having them here with all of us.

Mary in Green Bay, Wisconsin knit some more stockings for us.

With each stocking that has been sent to us for shipping to our troops, comes a message saying we haven't forgotten them.

Our house becomes the staging center where we sort out the items that are donated to us. 

 We happily accept donations of candy collected by school children for the troops, 

 or popcorn products from a corporate donor.

 Each stocking is stuffed, counted, checked, rechecked, counted again and then get boxed up. 

 This is the first batch going out this week.  These are boxes of love, support and prayers for our troops.

To all of you who have supported us for these seven years, we thank you. 

TTFN

Sue

We Need Stockings!!!!!



Yes, it's that time of the Operation Holiday Stockings season where I start to panic.  I panic and then I have to remember that there are a lot of generous people who will be helping again this year.  But folks, WE NEED STOCKINGS.  We are committed to sending 1600 stockings to deployed troops in Afghanistan.  It is a war zone and our troops need any type of morale booster we can give them.  Our stockings, as small as they are, help and we will continue sending them as long as we have to.  So far we have about 850 stockings.  I would hate to have to refuse some of the requests we have received, the requests that are coming directly from the troops themselves.  Please let me know if you are able to help.  If you want to send us a donation for postage that will truly be appreciated.  It costs $1.00 per stocking for postage and so far we have collected $900.00. 

So many of you have already sent in stockings, items for the stockings and money for postage.  Please considered yourself hugged and THANKS. 

In the last few weeks we have received stockings, and they are all beautiful stockings.

These are from Pat in Beaverton, Oregon. 

Betty in Seattle, Washington has been knitting up a storm again this year.  Some of these have little jingle bells on them.

 The Eastside Knitting Guild in Bellevue, Washington had these for me at our meeting this week.

As well as these.

Susan B in Bellevue, Washington gave us these. 

As I have said before, I love each and every stocking, whether they are knit, crocheted, sewn or a decorated felt stocking.  I do stop and take time to look at each one and appreciate the time, love and support that is put into each stocking.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the love these stockings represent. 

In the meantime Katie is stuffing stockings and taking count.





For all of you who have asked about Johnny, he is doing great.  He is back to playing and taking walks without his leash or support.  He thanks all of you for caring so much about him.  He says he is a very luckly little dog to have so many friends.

As for me, I finished my sabbatical and am back to work.  David is retired and living full time at Edgar's Acres staying very busy, and hanging out with Edgar, Louie, Johnny and Abby.  I'm working four days each week in Seattle and staying with very kind and generous friends.  I don't have as much knitting time as I did earlier because I haven't figured out how to knit and drive at the same time. 

Take care my dear friends. 

TTFN

Sue