The pandemic didn’t stop students of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit at Samuel Everitt from hosting their fifth annual Stockings for Soldiers program.
Leading up to the holidays, more than 1,400 stockings for soldiers were completed. An additional 25 boxes of goodies from the community were packed up for shipping.
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Under the direction of Shannon Hamilton, an intermediate unit autistic support teacher, the program has students take part while supporting their educational needs.
Hamilton started the program to spread holiday cheer to her U.S. Marine Corps brother who was stationed overseas.
The program, which takes place at the Samuel Everitt building in Middletown Township’s Levittown section, has grown over the past five years. It now includes shipping to troops in locations around the globe and requiring the entire school’s participation to support what has become an enormous assembly and distribution effort.
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From opening boxes and sorting items, keeping a detailed inventory, to counting and bagging candies, and even making a card for every stocking, the project allows every single child in the school to participate in some way. Physical and occupational therapy skills are supported by practicing things such as manual dexterity, mobility, gripping, and balance, along with soft skills being supported through social interaction and practicing both patience and sharing.
“This program not only supports student’s educational needs, it also provides emotional support. This program is an opportunity for students to give back to others by giving of their time and effort in an expression of sharing and caring,” organizers said.
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Organizers said the pandemic led to a number of precautions being put into place, but it did not stop the event from taking place.
Fore the Troops, a nonprofit that raises funds to support military members and their families, donated $5,703.60 to cover all of the shipping costs. Funding to purchase stockings was also provided by the Bucks Intermediate Unit Education Foundation.
Organizers also thanked Davis Elementary School fifth grade, Girl Scouts Rock United Service Unit (Troops 263, 262, and 2470), Cheryl Cichonski-Urban, Shoprite (Yardley), Giant (multiple donations from locations throughout Bucks County), Redner’s (Levittown), BJ’s (Fairless Hills), Sam’s Club (Langhorne), and the following drop off sites: the Green Parrot and Kiddie Academy.
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Members of the military volunteered. In addition, Gus Cales, sergeant-at-arms for the Patriot Detachment 1230 and Marine Corp League Eagle Scout Representative, and Robert Dangler Jr., a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, assisted.
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, State Rep. Tina Davis, State Rep. Wendy Thomas, and Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie all came to lend a hand by filling some stockings.
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Planning for next year’s Stockings for Soldiers is already underway. Anyone who would like to donate can contact Hamilton at SHamilton@BucksIU.org.
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