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‘Boatsie’s’ Boxes’ help make holidays bright for soldiers

CARE PACKAGES — Soldiers celebrate a past Christmas overseas after receiving Boatsie’s Boxes. -- Contributed

WHEELING — Although summer has just come to an end, now is the time planning starts for making the holiday season a little brighter for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.

Gail “Boatsie” Van Vranken and the “Boatsie’s Boxes” program are beginning their 15th-annual campaign to send stockings to soldiers. Stockings now are available to those wishing to fill them with holiday items and surprises and return them for distribution.

The stockings must be returned no later than Nov. 10 so they can be shipped overseas by Nov. 15 and distributed to soldiers before Christmas.

All stockings must be gender neutral and can be picked up in the following areas by phoning any of these volunteers: Van Vranken, Wheeling, (304) 232-5277; Zoomie, Wheeling, (304) 243-0675; Crescent Print Shop, Moundsville, (304) 845-3911; Jean Dougherty, North Lima (908) 296-2273; Lisa Rambo, Avon, (440) 668-9597; or Cathy Mezera, Morgantown, (304) 293-5727.

Van Vranken said most stockings contain about $25 to $30 worth of items, and should be filled to the top. They must be stitched shut, or secured with safety pins or rubber bands to keep items from being lost.

Suggested items for the stockings include Christmas candy, chocolates, Slim Jims, jerky, trail mix, all types of nuts, chewing gum, dried fruit, Life Savers, healthy snacks, cookies, DVDs, compact discs, playing cards, wet wipes, travel dental kits, small shave cream, razors, lip balm, tissues, iTunes cards, batteries and crew socks.

Van Vranken said those filling stockings should seek out Christmas-related items, small games and items that will brighten a soldier’s day.

“Try to make them fun,” Van Vranken said of the stockings.

“We send those things (toiletry items) all year. Things that are fun and Christmasy will be great.”

The stockings will be sent to soldiers serving in undisclosed locations such areas as Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Africa, Germany, Poland and Okinawa, Japan.

Last year, more than 10,000 stockings were distributed, according to Van Vranken. The stockings came to Boatsie’s Boxes from all 50 states, with 2,000 alone being provided by the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs.

“It’s terribly important to remember those sacrificing so much for us, especially this time of year,” Van Vranken said. “When they are so far away from home this boosts their moral, and it’s an easy thing to do.”

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