The Mount Olympus Detachment 897, Marine Corps League, is gearing up for the 2012 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. Since 1947 Marines have been making Christmas wishes come true for needy children. Last year in Clallam County 11,085 toys were distributed to 4,115 children.

The Sequim American Legion Post will be helping man the booth in front of Walmart from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays starting the day after Thanksgiving. Please come by and contribute new, unwrapped toys or give a cash donation.

 

For more information on the campaign, go to www.toysfortots.org. Let’s make Christmas special for all the youngsters in Clallam County.


Stocking stuffers

November is a big month for Operation Holiday Stockings. Their deadline for stockings and the “stuffing” is Nov. 28. So far they have requests for 3,500 stockings! They need lip balm, moisture wipes, drink mixes, small size baby powder, sample size shampoo, toothpaste, soap and lotion and toothbrushes. Money for postage always is needed.

 

Donations can be left at A Dropped Stitch, 170 W. Bell St. in Sequim. Money donations can be mailed to Operation Holiday Stockings, PO Box 3186, Sequim, WA 98382.

 

Many of the requests for stockings are coming directly from the troops. Moms and officers’ wives also are asking for support for their children or for their officer’s unit. You can get more info at www.operationholidaystockings.com. Please help us give the troops a bit of Christmas spirit and let them know we are thinking of them at this special time of year.

The Memorial

Did you know there is a Veterans Memorial in Sequim? It is at 544 N. Sequim Ave. at the flag pole across from the school. There are engraved tiles honoring and memorializing service veterans and organizations — I have a tile there!

 

If you would like to be a part of this memorial by purchasing a tile for around $30, call Larry Klinefelter at 360-912-1976 or e-mail LJK1551@live.com. Order forms are at www.macsequim.org.

CrabHouse lunch
The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will have a Christmas luncheon at The CrabHouse in Port Angeles at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Officers for the 2013 year will be installed and entertainment will be provided by No Batteries Required, a barbershop quartet.

All U.S. military officers — present, retired and former, are invited to attend. Call me at 683-6419 for more information or to make a reservation.

What’s in ‘Store’?

As in years past, the American Legion Auxiliary will be hosting a Christmas Store for the residents of the Veterans Home in Retsil (Port Orchard) the last week of November. Residents can choose gifts for family members and write them cards. The ladies wrap and pack the presents and mail them — all at no cost to the resident.

 

We need money for postage and nice items for presents — family games, boxes of candy, small appliances, gift sets of any kind. If you have gifts or money to donate, call me and I will pick them up — 683-6419.

Contributors: DAR, Regent, Joyce Stroeher, n7jpw@juno.com; American Legion and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; VFW Commander Roger Padie, commander@vfwpost4760.com; Marine Corps League, Terry Roth, mroth@olypen.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; Fleet Reserve Association, Tom Flanik, gunny@sos.net