More than 400 Christmas stockings are on their way to troops overseas from Morgantown thanks to Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home and the community.
The stockings were filled through donations and are sent overseas where they are distributed to troops, Jared Jenkins, the funeral home’s owner, said. The stockings will be shipped to Kuwait before being sent on to Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
“I was overseas when I was in the military and little things like that go a long way,” veteran Wilbur England said. “A piece of cinnamon candy, that’s just something you didn’t pick up over there.”
Since Jenkins didn’t serve in the military, he said he feels an obligation to help and support those who do.
The stockings are filled with snacks, hygiene products, entertainment and more. Soldiers can also request specific items through the Veterans & Family Memorial Care program.
“This group requested black ankle socks,” Janna Jenkins said. “Something we take for granted because it’s easy to pick up, but not over there.”
England is a member of the VFW’s local honor guard and found out about the program through Jared. England said he’s filled stockings all three years the program has been running locally. The VFMC’s “Christmas Stocking for Soldiers” program has been going for 12 years nationally.
“I think that’s just a great program that they’re doing over there,” England said. “It means a lot to know that the people back home care enough about you to take the time to go do something like that.”
The stockings are also shipped with letters from elementary students at Trinity Christian School. Janna said the troops have the option to respond and they’ve gotten positive feedback about the children’s letters each year.
Sarah Wolfe, elementary school principal, said the students were touched by the project and worked hard to make cards that reflected appreciation, love and thoughtfulness.
“God calls everyone to serve others in a unique way,” Wolfe said. “Military service members have been uniquely called to make personal sacrifices to serve our country. Some of these sacrifices include being far away from beloved family members and friends over the holiday season.”
Jared said he’s proud of the way the community comes together each year to fill the stockings, and it’s an honor to be able to thank some of the people fighting for America.
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