A call for Christmas Cards

I’m going to begin with a little bit of history, I know many of you may know this, and many of you have helped in the year’s past.  

In 2008 on the KH site there was a call for stockings, we would be sending the stockings to soldiers in Iraq who usually didn’t get anything in the mail. 


We took up collection at my house, got the school involved on helping us make cards, asked for donations for candy for the stockings, and of course for stockings. 


We made the total of 850 stockings that year, Jackie and me bundled them all up in zip lock baggies and sent them to PA.  There the mom of the soldier organizing the ‘cause, would add a few more things to them before sending them on.  

We decided to do something right then for the 2009 Christmas.  We decided to stay local and hope the kids could have a hand in passing out the stockings and seeing it come full circle. 

Jackie was the contact person and I was the person in the background, who could hide behind the computer screen and ask for donations.  


We asked all knitting forms and here in town for 1,000 stockings to be given to our Salvation Army.  You guys delivered with no hesitation!

 
We asked for donations for small items to go with the stocking and again you guys did not hesitate. 

Jackie then got really sick and if it hadn’t been for her mom helping me, and giving me support (when really I should have been giving her support), I’m not sure I could have finished this.

We did though, we got the items to the SA, but due to events beyond our control, the kids could not go and hand out the stockings.  They didn’t get to see it come full circle, I felt I had let Jackie down and all those who had donated.

Jackie continued to get worse and I stashed the leftover stockings (30 of them) in the closet, when things turn for the worse…I tend to run.

At her funeral, in the snow, with JD’s help I made my way back down to the car, and then I heard my name.  It was her mom coming towards me down the snowy hill, I walked back up to meet her.  She hugged me and said promise me you will do the stockings in honor of her this coming Christmas.  I promised….

Jackie already knew last Sept. what we would do, we would give to the elderly that was alone.  She had already been in contact with several places but we hadn’t found that right one.  I knew I had to find a place but how, she was the go getter, and remember I was the one behind the computer. 

I kept pushing it out of my mind, but then guilt would fill me.  Last Monday night it brought me to tears and to prayer.  I prayed and prayed on what I should do, I couldn’t let them down.  In a wave I felt peace and I had my answer, I had a name to call. 

The next morning I called early, I couldn’t wait anymore.  I called Deb, the pastor’s wife of Cavalry Baptist, and she had an answer that sounded just right.  It was for an Alzheimer's Unit who still knew enough but off on little things, like my grandfather in WV. 

My grandfather is in the Summit and although not all of them there have Alzheimer's or Dementia, I have seen what happens when they see kids.  They get that twinkle in their eye and they want to hear from the kids.  

When I called to ask about this unit I heard the same thing, how they love kids, love getting things, and oh how excited they would be.

Better yet you know those 30 stockings I had left over? That would be the right amount for this unit they have 24 in there now. 

God knew how this year would be, he knew the difficulties I would face, and he knew I could not make one more stocking! All I had to do was come to him and ask.  You would think by now I would know to leave it in his hands, it always works out for the better ; )

So don’t worry I’m not asking for stockings at all :D What I am asking for though is Christmas cards. 

My grandfather L-O-V-E-S getting cards and I know they would too.  I want to see how many Christmas Cards I can get to go with the remaining stockings. 

If you would like to help me out please buy a box of cards and sign them.  Place them back in the box and mail them to me.  If you need my address just send me an e-mail or drop me a message. 

Let us see how many Christmas cards we can get for them and for Jackie.  Please remember her family as the holiday season begins, this will be a rough one *thank you all*