“Stocking stuffers” readying the shipment of Christmas gifts to the U.S. Air Force Squadron stationed at Bagram, Afghanistan, on Dec. 5 pause with some of the postal boxes filled and ready to go. They include Martin and Laura Christensen, Tom and Mary Doyle, Deb Plantz, Marj Doyle, Kim Nelson, Larry Fletcher, Dave Svoboda, Kathy & Leonard Albright, Robert Youngman, Michelle Juhl, Patty Henle, Carol Zhorne, Brenda Husak, Berleen Wobeter, Pat McBride, Ginny Shover and Mary Schultz. Terry Lyon, rural Toledo, has organized the effort for the past five years. News-Herald/John Speer

By John Speer

Editor

jspeer@tamatoledonews.com

For the 5th year at Christmas time a U.S. Air Force Squadron on duty in Afghanistan will be receiving stockings from here filled with useful and holiday items.

A group of volunteers gathered on Thursday Dec. 5, at The State Bank of Toledo Community Meeting Room, to fill the stockings and prepare them for mailing.

The thoughtful effort began in 2015 when Terry and Eric Lyons’ son, U.S. Air Force Major Ty Lyon. was stationed at Bagram, Afghanistan, at Christmas time. One of his fellow crew members had just been lost while delivering supplies.

Beginning then, and each year following, area businesses, professional offices, organizations and residents have pitched in with donations.

This year the donor list includes Iowa Premium, Dr. Nick Kubik and office, Kimball and Beecher, Casey’s of Toledo, Fareway, STC National Honor Society and Elementary School, HyVee, Jeff Slagle and JBS, Slovak Ladies Lodge, American Legion and Sons of the American Legion, CCW of St. Pat’s,Catholic Churches of Greene, Iowa area, Verena Street Coffee, Costco, Walmart.

And, Sally and Stacey at the Toledo Post Office, Terry and Teri Goodhart, Marlene Sotyn, Jack and Carolyn Walker, Danny and Sue Anderson, Pete and Berleen Wobeter. Tom and Mary Doyle, Nancy Whitmore and Ginny Shover.

Terry Lyon also recognizes the many people who filled donation boxes at local libraries and banks with money and supplies.

Among the items included in the stockings are chapsticks, yo-yos, Lifesavers and individually wrapped candies, gum, tins of mints, jerky sticks, granola bars/breakfast bars, dry soup mixes, hot chocolate, tea, Emergen C, microwave popcorn, travel size of personal care items, small (purse size) flashlights and Christmas cards.