Oklahomans Bring Christmas Cheer to Soldiers

News9.com

EDMOND, Okla. -- The holidays are right around the corner, and for thousands of military men and women overseas it means another year away from home. But, some Oklahomans are making a difference by packing up Christmas cheer.

Box after box, each one is packed full of items for soldiers serving overseas. The items include necessities and reminders of home and holiday traditions.

"I've packed up some boxes of personal hygeine items, food," student Jamie Jekel said.

"We're putting letters from students from elementary schools wishing soldiers a ‘Merry Christmas.' Candy canes, Christmas stockings, a little touch of our holiday," Sherry Stensrud, the Blue Star Mothers Vice President of the Edmond-OKC chapter, said.

Blue Star Mothers is heading up this effort with dozens of volunteers from metro churches and schools pitching in.

"It's like, been a really good experience. Just thinking about what's been going on overseas and thinking you're doing a good thing for our country, like helping them out, it makes you think ‘Don't take your own life for granted,'" student Darian McPherson said.

About 500 boxes will be mailed from Oklahoma, and for these volunteers, they're getting back much more than they're giving.

"I think about how they let me have my freedom and how they're fighting for me and making sure I'm safe," student Miranda King said.

Volunteers said they feel good knowing they can give back even a little to the soldiers who are doing such a great service for them and our country.

Click here if you'd like to get involved by giving with donations or volunteering.