Operation Santa stuffs Christmas stockings for soldiers
Army Maj. Brandon Crull of Peoria returned just two weeks ago from a year's active duty in Iraq. He's still adjusting to being home and introducing himself to his son, born while he was overseas.
But he came with his family Saturday to tell those ready to stuff Christmas buy tiffany stockings for Operation Santa what those stockings might mean to their recipients.
It's the simple things, soap and toothpaste, things that come in handy and mean so much, Crull told the crowd gathered to help the Decatur chapter of Operation Santa, adding that sometimes it can be difficult in a combat zone to get the kinds of items the stockings hold.
But it's also the letters from children and the project's symbolism of the patriotism of the people of Central Illinois that count as well, he said.
"The kids write off-the-wall things, and they are phenomenal," he added.
Crull, who serves with a Army Reserve unit based in Darien, said he'd only been gone two weeks last year when his sister, Julie Hensley, started the Decatur chapter.
"I didn't expect it," he said.
Last year, with just six weeks to work, Hensley said they were able to supply the Peoria-based group tiffany rings with 1,260 stockings. This year, the number was 6,600 stockings, made and stuffed to be shipped to active duty military personnel.
Jennifer Albright said she brought 72 stockings she and her mother, Shari Bowen, made in honor of her cousin serving active military duty. Darla Zinn brought another 70 she had made, honoring the service of her son, former Marine Tyler Zinn.
"I'm an experienced box shipper," Zinn said.
And Sherry Gant of Mount Zion said she came just to help stuff, though she has a nephew who just completed boot camp with the Marines.
This year, not only did the group expand its goal, but it added canine stockings tiffany pendants. Crull said different breeds of dogs serve alongside the engineers in a variety of capacities.
"I can't believe the job they have done," said Gary Crull of Weldon, father of Hensley and of Brandon Crull. "I just couldn't be prouder of this," he added, noting that the Decatur chapter's contribution made 20 percent of the total number of stockings that will be shipped.
"We're so proud of Decatur, so proud," said Lori George, who co-chairs the Decatur chapter with Hensley tiffany earrings. "(Items) to stuff are still coming in.
"We're already planning next year," George continued. "If Decatur can do over 6,000, let's shoot for 10,000 (stockings)."
On the Web: operationsanta.info
amannlein@herald-review.com 421-6976