Stockings for Troops collection begins

From Mirror staff reports

BELLWOOD — Military Families Ministry USA Inc. has launched their 14th annual Stockings for the Troops project to send stockings to deployed service members.

Men and women across all branches of our Armed Forces will spend this Christmas holiday on deployment. Many of them will be experiencing their first holiday away from their homes and families. These stockings are a great way to remind them that they are not forgotten and that they are truly appreciated.

"If you have a loved one deployed over Christmas this year — we would love to send them stockings to share with their unit," said Tracie Ciambotti, president and director.

Two drop locations have been added this year, bringing the total to nine throughout Altoona, Bellwood and Tyrone. Items will be collected throughout the month of November.

Items needed include: individually wrapped Twizzlers hard candy, chapsticks, toothbrushes and small toothpaste, hot chocolate and oatmeal packets, ramen noodles, snack and food bars, peanut butter or cheese crackers, individually wrapped cookies, Slim Jims and beef jerky, individual drink mixes for water bottles, small packets of trail mix, nuts, pretzels, fruit or other snacks, decks of cards or small card games, and Christmas cards (homemade or bought) with a personal message. Donations must be received by Nov. 30.

Drop locations include:

– Altoona: DeGol Organization, 3229 Pleasant Valley Blvd.; ARC Federal Credit Union,1919 Seventh Ave. or 419 N. Seventh St.; M&T Bank, 301 Plank Road.

– Bellwood: Bellwood-Antis Public Library, 526 Main St.; Mayhue's Garage, 601 Main St.; The Hope Center, 421 Main St.

– Tyrone: Mac's Market, 1658 Columbia Ave.; Kelly Wike State Farm Office, 1203 Pennsylvania Ave.; and Tyrone Elks, 5496 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd.

For more information, contact Ciambotti at 814-880-7206 or email