Non-profit Soldiers’ Angels is continuing its Holiday Stockings for Heroes campaign and has set a goal of 40,000 stockings to be sent to service members and veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the globe.
"During the holiday season, when our service members and veterans are far from home or facing challenges, a simple stocking filled with love and gratitude becomes more than just a gift. It’s a reminder that they are not forgotten—that their sacrifices are honored and deeply appreciated. Through Soldiers’ Angels, we send more than holiday cheer; we send hope, strength, and the unwavering support of a grateful nation," said Amy Palmer, president & CEO of Soldiers' Angels.
Donated stockings are shipped to service members deployed to combat zones or in support of humanitarian operations, shared with active duty installations and Guard/Reserve units, and hand-delivered to veteran patients in VA Hospitals across the country.
There are multiple ways to participate in the Holiday Stockings for Heroes campaign:
Purchase and ship requested items: Register as a Soldiers’ Angels volunteer and collect items from the list of suggested items and stuff them into a holiday stocking. Once your stockings are packed, send or deliver them to the base, unit, deployed service member, or VA facility that you select via the Soldiers’ Angels online volunteer portal. You can also make/write a personal card or letter that can be included in the stocking.
Coordinate a large group collection: If you’re coordinating a large group, consider hosting a collection drive for the items you will need. At least one member of your group will need to register as a Soldiers’ Angel volunteer. Once you have enough items collected, you and your group can come together virtually or in person to stuff the stockings. You can also make/write a personal card or letter to be included in the stockings.
Make a Donation: Help ship care packages overseas by donating to the campaign. It costs about $25 to send one stocking, so every donation helps. Visit here.
Stockings must be sent/delivered no later than Dec. 8. Participants are responsible for all shipping/delivery costs to get the stockings to the address or addresses selected from the Soldiers’ Angels volunteer portal.
For suggestions on what may be included in the stockings, plus what items to avoid, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.