Egizi Funeral Home is coordinating "Stockings for Soldiers," a program that will ship Christmas stockings to U.S. soldiers deployed overseas.
WASHINGTON TWP. -- In honor of the holiday season, the Egizi Funeral Home is coordinating "Stockings for Soldiers," a program that will ship Christmas stockings to U.S. soldiers deployed overseas.
The program started last year when Charles Chiango, the owner of Egizi Funeral Home, worked with a fourth grade class from Bells Elementary School to collect items to stuff 100 stockings. They were delivered to the Vineland Veterans Hospital to thank former military members for their service.
This year, Chiango decided to increase the reach of the program with the hopes of sending 300 to 400 stockings to soldiers stationed overseas and away from their families during the holidays.
"I think it's what we should do as a society, we're Americans," Chiango said. "It's the least [we] can do. I wish we could send each of them [soldiers] a new car when they got home."
To meet the ultimate goal of collecting up to 400 stockings, Chiango partnered with members of American Legion Post 521 and students from Hurffville Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Birches Elementary School and Bells Elementary School.
A month ago, students from each school were sent home with a list of supplies encouraged to be donated, ranging from toothpaste and socks to playing cards and snack foods--all items soldiers don't have easy access to. Once the supplies are brought in and collected, each school will designate a day for the students to stuff the stockings--which will be shipped overseas by Post Commander of American Legion Post 521 Barbara McCormick.
McCormick is a former member of the U.S. Air Force, and served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. When asked by Chaingo, she readily agreed to participate in "Stockings for Soldiers."
"I've been deployed before, I've been away from my family for special days," McCormick said. "[Stockings] let them now we didn't forget them. It's a piece from home."
Roughly 100 fifth grade students from different classes at Bells Elementary School filled their stockings on Friday, Dec. 11. Although the fifth grade students were in charge of putting the stockings together, all of the items used were donated by students of all grade levels, as well as staff members. In addition to the specific items requested on the list sent home with all students, each of the stockings were filled with a holiday card made by a student at the school.
McCormick, as well as American Legion Treasurer John Hartley and Senior Vice Commander Mark McCandless also attended to help pack up and send out the stockings so they can arrive to soldiers in time for the holidays.
"It's so nice to have the kids involved," McCormick said. "I think this teaches our kids to remember the sacrifices that members of the military make."
It was the second year fifth grader Sean Parchesky, 10, participated in the program, and he was excited to see more people getting involved.
"Last year it was only our class that did it, this year, more soldiers will get something," Parchesky said. "Some soldiers don't get to see their families for Christmas, so it's good they get this."
If enough stockings are collected this year, Chiango intends to donate approximately 75 to the Vineland Veterans Home again, to continue to show support for former and current members of the military.
"We feel so blessed with how loyal the community is, we want to give back. Especially to the [veterans]," Chiango said. "When [they] know they're coming from the school, it makes them feel like someone actually really cares.