I made a promise some time back - 70 stockings in memory of a dear, dear man named Roy :) Mimisharon, they are done, being filled this afternoon and on their way to Afghanistan tomorrow. The filling is all because of my awesome neighbor and all of her hard work; I just did the stockings.

Thank you so much, Mimisharon - because of you and Roy, each one became a meditation of sorts. As I made each one, I kept in mind that this particular stocking may be the only one that soldier may receive this year - and how much brighter that one moment will be. I was humbled to do one small thing. I could go on, but it would probably get sappy :wink: I simply got much, much more than I'm giving.

Here they are - I hope Roy would approve :)

That was a generous and much appreciated gift you did. As to how to find the right soldier.. Soldiers Angels is a LEGITIMATE site with excellent match ups for those who want to help. My daughter is in the Army. She also ran a Soldiers Angels club at her high school to make sure that care packages went to those in need. The soldiers are recommended by those in a higher position who realize these kids are NOT getting mail from home.. it can make a real difference to get a note, a small care package just because you want to say thank you. So for your stockings.. thank you. For your neighbor who helped fill them.. thank you. You are paying it forward in such a good and needed way.

I'll do some checking, Loretta - Mimisharon might have a solid source for you too. We adopted a specific unit, and had inside info since my neighbor's daughter is in the unit we adopted. We're doing 'treat' kinds of things for the holidays - treat bags for halloween, the stockings, etc. If you have any ideas for Valentine's Day, I'm all ears :lol: :lol:

Roben...you rock!! As the mom of a man that did two tours in Iraq, and thus two Christmases away from his family, I know how much these are going to be appreciated!!! Thanks for caring! :)

Roy would be very very proud of you

What a wonderful tribute to Roy and what a gift to the people who receive them.

Wow, that is so wonderful!!

That is fantastic! You should feel very proud!

I know how much Mimisharon does for others. Bless you for kicking in and helping! I know how much these stockings will mean to our service people overseas!

Roben, you are fabulous. Great work!

What a generous gift. Great job.

great job! That makes me tear up ..just thinking about how great you feel.

Now thats nothing but American! Great job!

(((HUGS))) You are an awesome and generous soul (((HUGS)))

Oh please let me know how to get involved in this for next year. I'll start now! I am doing quilts of vallor too but love to give to these men. It makes them smile if only for a moment. I know if I were there, I would appriciate it. Please PM me with info.

Oh--I have goose bumps on goose bumps. Thank you for doing that.

So touching, so thoughtful, so wonderful! Thank you for caring! It will go a long way w/the recipients! :thumbup: :thumbup:

That is Awsome Roben!!!!! What a wonderful act of love!

What an awesome thing to do, Roben!
I'm sure each and every one will be appreciated!!!

ROBEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: (not sad tears, but tears of joy and gratitude) You are so wonderful and so talented. I'm sitting here crying and thanking God for the wondrous friends I have made here. You not only talk the talk, you DO the talk. Oh, how can I thank you?

Roy loves them and is very grateful someone remembers him to the troops. Our Jim is back in a war zone for another Christmas, this is three Christmases in a war zone for him but God has watched over him as your stockings will absolutely cheer and remind so many of the love of all of us here in America.

I love you, Roben, big big hugs!!!!!!
Sharon/mimisharon

You have inspired me. I'm going to contact Soldier's Angels asap and see what my family can do to help comfort a soldier.

That is just awesome Roben! There are so many that will have a little joy thanks to you and your neighbor....thank you!

:thumbup: You and your neighbor are awesome :lol:

That is awesome, I would like like to know how to go about it for next year. What did you fill the stockings with?

Roben, that is so great. I think I will start making some for next year too. Thanks to you and your neighbor.

I think everyone who is wanting to get involved is a hero! This will be an on-going need for some time to come. A quick internet search pulled up quite a few organizations who coordinate getting things sent out; I would encourage everyone to pick one they are comfortable with. I also know a terrific lady who collects pillowcases that get sent to the hospitals in Germany; pm me if you'd like more info on that.

We're putting cookies, candy, and silly little toys in the stockings - things we think they'll have a few minutes of fun with like soft footballs and such. You bet I'm gonna be haunting the after Christmas sales to stock up for next year! I'm also going to be checking out the sales on Christmas fabric so I can be working on them throughout the year.

We decided to also send things for other holidays as well, so in between finishing up my Christmas sewing I'm already thinking about Valentine's Day - no wonder I'm confused :lol: :lol:

Edited to add: Hubby made me an acrylic stocking template that was awesome for getting these done, so if you know someone handy the template is the way to go!

God bless you. You are a true American!!!! Great job.

What a wonderful thing to do Roben. You are really a quilting angel.

wow, you are making more than 70 ppl happy, Roben,...their moms, dads, friends, kids...
When you put something to a candle's flame, the light does not go out...
it multiplies :-D

I googled ""stockings for soldiers" and found what we need. Best wishes to all. I hear the cutters cutting and the machines humming already. I know I am to the store for next year already. LOL God Bless

Oh wow you sure did a nice job. :thumbup:

My goodness! You sure have been busy. Is your machine smoking now? Good job.

Roben your a true Angle of God , Bless you for all you have done, they are so pretty .

they are absolutely beautiful!! when I was in middle school I had a pen pal for history class, he was in the navy, I loved writing to him and getting letters back from him. I have always wanted to do this again but never knew how. you are an inspiration to us all. I will be on the look out for more info. I may try to help with this for next year and even encourage my kids to write letters if I can find someone to write to that is really in need of some letters.

What an inspiration you are. Thank you.
I was recently approached by a local jerky manufacturing plant about providing Christmas stockings for the troops next year.
If you can do it, so can I, I called and volunteered our Quilting group of 3 to complete 100 stockings for Christmas 2010.
They will go to Oregon troops first, since we are in Oregon, then to the front lines and if more are available they will be distributed by drawing.
The gal said this is the 'usual' way to select where your projects are distributed.
Again, thanks for the inspiration!!!!!
Merry Christmas.

The lady said a good way to contact a soldier is to contact the local Armory or recruiter for names.

Please remember the Veterans in hospitals and Veterans Homes, also. Then there are the Wounded Warriors and children of Fallen Heroes. You can contact the chaplains at any of the Military Hospitals, Reserve Units in your area, and of course the Public Affairs Officers at any base in your state to get Chaplains phone numbers to get a unit in need.

There are lots of units and about to be 30,000 (8,000 from my area) more in Afghanistan alone. There are military in many foreign countries that have no one to remind them we care about them.

I appreciate everyone of you that try to help in any way. There are so many different people that want to help but don't know where to go. Put them in contact with me, I'll get them addresses of Chaplains.

I just got a box of 100 little candy canes to mail to Jim to give his "guys", they love the little things that show a touch of home. Course I made him his own stocking and filled it. CDs of country music, or any music cause they trade around, dvds....if you have some that you're tired of, package and send them. Lots of things except, no pork or pork products, no alcohol, no tobacco products, or religious material.

Thank you from the whole of my heart!

Roben, you truly embrace the spirit of Chirstmas! Your stockings are beautiful, you did a great job! I know the soldiers will appreciate them very much. My son is in the Army and has done 5 tours of duty in Iraq. The Holidays are difficult at best for our men & women in our Armed services.
Thanks for your generosity!
Kindest Regards,
MaryAnna

Oh Roben ... You have touched my heart too with your generous gift of time and talent. Bless you girl, for being so sweet.

Bless your heart. Not everyone will take on that kind of a challenge. I am glad there are people like you.

Wow that is wonderful, thanks for sharing, and I know those who get these gifts will be so greatful.