This website is first and foremost always for weather information here in the county. However, sometimes I like to step off the beaten path and provide you with information on some great community service projects going on around the county. Today I want to spend time telling you about a great project called Stockings For Soldiers. About a week ago I was asked by Christie Potvin to share some information regarding this project on my weather outlets. I was of course happy to do it but also intrigued and wanted to know more. So I asked Christine to give me some details for me to share with all of you.

Tell me how this idea came about?

"It started off with the Rowan County MOM's club when 23 local soldiers deployed in 2009. My husband deployed in 2012 with almost 80 soldiers from North Carolina and I decided to make sure that each solider had a stocking, the MOM's club had disbanded so I started looking for donations to help. Now my husband is deploying once again with almost 150 soldiers from North Carolina and I'm doing this again for his unit with the help of the local community, friends, family and my church."

How many years have you been doing this?

"This will be the 3rd year (1st year was with MOM's club which was a box of goodies)"

How do you get the donations to the troops?

"Through USPS Priority Mail using the Large Flat Rate Boxes. Denise at our Faith Post office has been wonderful to always help me when I walk in with so many boxes to send."

What donations do you need?

"On my Facebook Group "Stockings for Soldiers" is a list of items that can be used but to give you some ideas Stockings, Snack food, Microwaveable foods, drink mixes, hard candy, magazines, disposable razors, eye drops, chapstick, amazon gift cards."

"I have learned by doing this that a lot of people do not realize that our Soldiers still purchase these items when they are deployed. "

Can someone simply send you a monetary donation? If so how?

"Yes they can. The cost per box to ship is $17.35. I am looking to ship  30+ boxes (depending on how many stockings I can get into each box). They are welcome to contact me directly (910-987-0627) if they would like to help with monetary donations"

Do you need volunteers to help get the stockings ready?

"At the moment I am blessed to have St. Luke's Reformed Church helping me get the stockings ready to send to our troops." 

Other than volunteers what are your biggest needs? 

"Items to fill these stockings or I have some families that have decided the want to fill a stocking themselves and that is ok too." 

When is the deadline for donations?

"November 15th"

If you have read through the interview and you feel inclined to help. I have linked the Facebook page for this group right here

As always thank you for following Rowan County Weather and thank you to everyone in the county doing something to make a difference!