Christmas In November At MOTS Packing Party For The Troops

Spending time away from home at the holidays can be hard, but imagine if you were so far from home that you would only know it was Christmas by looking at a date on the calender? No twinkling lights on your neighbor's porch, no Christmas tree tied to an SUV driving down the street, and no smells of cinnamon and sugar coming from the kitchen. 

Many thousands of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines will spend the holidays with their second family this year, their comrades in arms, but it's just not the same.

Manasota Operation Troop Support will be trying to fill in some of those gaps at our Holiday Packing Party for the Troops on November 5th at 9am.

It seems early, I know, but imagine the influx of packages going overseas at this time of year. We want our gifts of stockings, food, candy and gifts to be timely for our troops. We do not want that date on the calendar to come and go without some small but personal and tangible reminders that we are thinking of our local deployed troops this holiday season.

Many people are donating special items to go into the holiday packages and you are always welcome to do the same.  Some are baking cookies, some are donating disposable cameras, and many are making special Christmas cards. Donations for postage are always needed.

Local schools like Bashaw Elementary, Gullett Elementary and McIntosh Middle are hosting school wide projects for our troops over the next 6 weeks.  I am so grateful that our young people are taking the time to think, write and do for the troops who walk the path that we do not dare.  "Freedom is not free."  And after reading hundreds of letters written by our youth I know for a fact that they understand that phrase. I applaud their teachers, principals and parents who show them the way to that understanding.

The Girl Scouts have stocked the pantry with Do Si Do's and Tag a Longs, and Walgreen's has donated lots of Snickers and Reese's. Food Drives by Suncoast Blood Bank, the YMCA, schools, churches and individuals will make this holiday season a little more special for our military.

So join us if you can!

The Stand Down is also being held on November 5th at the Palmetto Fairgrounds and I realize that many volunteers will be involved with that annual event. Blessings on you. You will be missed but we hope to see you at the December 3rd packing party!

Call MOTS with any questions, 941-782-0748.

Manasota Operation Troop Support, 4301 32nd Street West, Suite C20, Bradenton, Fl 34205. A 501(c)3.