Manassas students collect cheer for wounded soldiers

By BRENDA FACEMIRE
Published: November 25, 2008

The major holiday project for Metz Middle School will again be Operation Stuff-A-Stocking.

One of our local military veterans works directly with McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond as well as with Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda and Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. Metz has a goal for each soldier at these hospitals to get a stocking.

Metz’s goal is to provide at least 300 stuffed stockings. The goal last year of 180 just going to McGuire was overwhelmingly met. The two other hospitals have been added for this year.

Stockings can be purchased at most dollar stores in the area (or elsewhere if you desire, or even homemade) and can be stuffed with several of the items listed below.

Many of these soldiers are totally disabled and appreciate any gestures done for them. Most of the soldiers are men, but there are a few women. If you stuff a stocking with items for a female, please mark it accordingly.

The smaller items listed are the ones to be put in the stockings. The extra items can be given separately. All stockings and other items can be dropped off to the main office at Metz any time before Dec. 3.

The stockings will be delivered to McGuire on Dec. 6, Walter Reed on Dec.11 and Bethesda on Dec. 16. Let’s make this holiday season the best ever for our soldiers!

Thank you in advance for making the holidays better for our soldiers. For more information, contact Gayle Schumann at Metz Middle School at 703-257-8600.
Items needed are: toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand lotion, nail clippers, shaving cream, white socks, combs, shampoo, deodorant, white T-shirts (L, XL, XXL), disposable razors and photo frames and albums. Extra items are: stamps, phone cards, CDs and DVDs. Any uplifting notes of encouragement in the stockings would be great additions.

Brenda Facemire is a contributing writer for the News & Messenger.