Soccer Balls for Soldiers, Courtesy Of Whitfield Presbyterian Church

Members of Whitfield Presbyterian Church of Bradenton were prompted by an 80-year-old parishioner (and patriot) to send soccer balls to our deployed troops this Christmas. And to be clear, he wanted all branches of our military service to receive an equal amount of balls.

That task was completed this week when 48 brand new soccer balls arrived at the warehouse of Manasota Operation Troop Support. Not ones to miss out on the details, the church made sure that each box included a hand pump with needle to inflate the balls once they arrive in the "Big Sandbox."  In addition,  a Christmas letter and a book of postage stamps were included.

Postage for the boxes was also donated to ship these heartfelt gifts to our deployed troops far from home this Christmas. I know that their eyes will light up like a child's when those boxes are ripped open.

Santa's elves at work right here in Bradenton, and it's not even December yet!

On behalf of all of our troops, "thank you" to all of the good folks at Whitfield Presbyterian Church.

And God Bless You.