Page 78 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2025 - Online Magazine

OPPORTUNITY
TO Serve

Honoring Servicemen with the

PATRIOT STOCKINGS PROJECT

From the Lone Star State and Beyond by Dona Nussbaum and Joan Blackmon

n 2007 an idea was born in a
mission committee meeting at a
Ichurch in Lubbock. A suggestion
was made to provide our military
(who were stationed and serving
in unaccompanied and isolated
regions) with a Christmas gift from
Texas.
elected officials and included in each In recent years, chaplains from bases
The plan of cutting, sewing, stocking. A community workday was in Texas and New Mexico have
decorating, filling, and sending held in November, and 850 boxes assumed charge of the completed
Christmas stockings to the women were mailed. The stockings arrived gifts and ensure that they are
and men of the military, who are in time to be hung secretly on each delivered in time for Christmas.
away from homes and families dormitory doorknob on that first
serving our country during the Christmas Eve. Every February, yards of donated
Christmas season, was launched! fabric are taken to the Vocational
Enthusiasm for the idea quickly The community effort quickly grew Transition Center where the fabric is
grew and spread across the whole and is now housed in the Vocational cut into stockings. Then volunteers
community, and even across the state Transition Center (LISD) in Lubbock. from all over the surrounding area
of Texas. Volunteers meet from February sew and decorate them. Donations
thru November. Items include a of items such as pens, key chains,
The first recipient base was Kunsan handmade decorated stocking decks of cards, games, golf tees, and
AB, in the Republic of South Korea, with a crocheted cross on the small toiletries are collected and
home of the 8th Fighter Wing, USAF, ribbon hook. The stocking is filled prepared for inclusion into each
(the Wolf Pack). It was considered with letters from elected officials, stocking. Additionally, messages
a remote location and was without promotional items from local of encouragement are included
facilities to support families. Former businesses, game items, a Christmas from elected officials as well as a
Lubbock Mayor David Miller sent a card with a handwritten message of Christmas card filled with signatures
request asking permission to present encouragement, candy, and small from people of all ages.
the gift of 3,000 stockings. toiletries. In recent years knitted or
crocheted hats and baseball caps Each year, volunteers are needed
In a very short time, many have been included. for many different tasks. Volunteers
businesses and interested volunteers sew and decorate stockings, write
from surrounding communities Since 2007, over 50,000 stockings and messages in Christmas cards,
contributed to the project. Letters of other items have been distributed to prepare toiletry bags, and collect
appreciation were written by various various locations around the world. small hygiene items, and business

78 Lubbock Senior Link