The Adams County Community Foundation, in conjunction with local veterans organization and Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, has announced this week that the annual drive for the holiday season, Stockings for Soldiers, is back for a 13th year.
Stockings for Soldiers is a cooperative effort in the community for military personnel. This has been successful through the support and assistance of the following people and local organizations: Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home (Decatur, Monroeville, and Berne), Adams County Community Foundation, Military Veterans: VFW Post 6751, (Geneva), American Legion Post 43 (Decatur), American Legion Post 468 (Berne), and others.
Jon Zwick reported that this is the 13th year of supporting and underwriting this popular program. Zwick reports that in past 12 years, 2,932 stockings have been shipped to local soldiers stationed overseas.
“We live in a terrific community that appreciates the military service of our local men and women. Our community has been very positive and active in their involvement, from high school students to senior citizens. Boxes are loaded with multiple stockings for groups of locally deployed personnel,” said Zwick.
Stuffed stockings can be dropped off at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes at 520 N 2nd Street, Decatur or 365 W. Main Street in Berne. Plan to have these delivered by Thursday, December 1, 2023, by 5:00 pm so they can be sent to the active-duty military to arrive in time for them to enjoy this reminder from home.
If you are interested in participating, please stop by to get a stocking, fill it with the requested items and return the filled stocking to Zwick/Jahn Funeral home. Free Christmas stockings are available at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes in Decatur, Berne, and Monroeville, VFW Post 6751, Geneva, American Legion Post 43, Decatur, and the American Legion Post 468, Berne. To be consistent with the stocking ingredients, the committee is asking the community for the stockings with these items:
Active Duty items needed: Hard candy, Jolly Ranchers, etc., Chewing Gum, Mints, Shampoo, Eye Drops, Flavored Water Packets, Batteries- AA and AAA, Deck of Playing Cards, Crossword Puzzles, Granola bars (without chocolate), Popcorny.
Instructions: Place items in Stocking. Fold over the top of the stocking and staple or secure closed so that the items inside do not fall out. Please return filled stockings by December 1, 2023 so they can be packaged and sent in time for Christmas.
Anyone wishing to provide goods for the stockings, please stop by any of the organizations listed in this article for a list of recommended items. Questions can be directed to Jon at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home at: 260.724-9164 or email at: jzwick@zwickjahn.com
