It was Christmas stocking time for the troops again this year and a group of volunteers had been busy making them. They were joined by a bigger crew to fill them at St. Patrick Social Center in Tama on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

This is the third year for the effort which Terry Lyon, rural Toledo, says has become much more of a community effort now and is aided by many area businesses to bring a bit of Christmas joy to a U.S. Air Force Squadron spending the holiday season on duty in Afghanistan.

The stocking idea was born in 2015 when Terry and her husband Eric’s son U.S. Air Force Major Ty Lyon was stationed at Bagram, Afghanistan, at Christmas time. A fellow crew had just been lost while delivering supplies when the idea of the stockings came up.

Major Lyon, now stationed at C 130 Air Base, Little Rock, has made arrangements for the 774 Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, at Bagram, to expect and distribute the 322 Christmas stockings shortly.

Making the stockings this year were Beth Silhanek, Sarah Dostal, Deb Husak, Berleen Wobeter

and Terry.

Joining into fill them were: Tom and Mary Doyle, Donna Moulton, Fran Kleis, Mary Roan, Larry and Denise Fletcher, Martin and Laura Christensen, Ann Kuhter, Doris Novotny, Michelle Devine, Sue Anderson, Brenda Husak, Patti Henle, Pat McBride, Verlene Horbach and Ginny Shover.

Terry says the list of donors for the project is “amazing.”

They include: Dr. Nicholas Kubik, Z Line, Hair by Erin, Thys Chevrolet, Toledo, Wal Mart, McFarland Pediatrics, Marshalltown, USS Polaris / Upah Tax, Emily and George Hansen, Rex Crain, Sons of the American Legion, Arlo & Nancy Cibula, Tama American Legion Auxiliary, Unit No. 73, Dan and Susan Anderson, Bohemian Mutual Insurance, State Bank of Toledo, Theisens, Marshalltown, Home Federal, Marshalltown, Ruth Scharnweber, Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home.

And, Dr. Wille and Staff, Ester Pillard, Sheryl Goos, Unity Point of Marshalltown, Kayla Carr, Samatha Deines, Allen Hospital, Mark and Sue Patterson, Mark and Sheryl Chute, Arlene Gerlach, Amy and Carolee Doyle, Donna Moulton, Joyce Legg, Annie Kaufman, Fareway, Shopko, Designer Inns, Super-8, Bob and Deb Husak, Denise Francois, Moke Tobias, Christina Peterson, Costco, Ginny Shover, Patrica McBride, Verlene Horbach, Jim, Mary and Ann Roan, Sandy Dirks, Fran Kleis, Pam Wood, Marcia Murty, George Trovas, Farm Bureau Insurance, Shelly Willer Comfort Suites, Cedar Falls, Quilting Connection, Ames, Country Landscapes, Ames, Memory of Pat Devine, ASI, Grinnell,