Marietta group helps troops overseas

It's not too late to help out our troops overseas! In Marietta, one local group is organizing Operation Holiday Stockings.  

It's all part of the dedicated volunteer work at Operation Stars and Stripes where they are currently working on packing up items to send to soldiers for the holiday season.

Rosalyn-Sue Smith started Stars and Stripes in 2001 in memory of Major George Thompson, whose POW bracelet she'd worn for years. She says she wanted to do more than just stand on the sidelines of freedom.

"I think it's wonderful that we pray for our troops. And we should pray for our troops. But it's also another thing to meet their needs," said Smith.

Smith and other volunteers send small basic necessities to troops that make life just a little more like normal.

"Socks, some of them are doubling and tripling them because they have holes and they can't get any more socks. Snacks, undergarments, things like that. That speaks volumes to our service members," explained Smith.

All of the items are donated. So far, more than 100,000 packages have been sent. Though the cost is just as great as the need, the reward for Smith and the volunteers is on the faces of the service members.

"It is critical to remember that our troops fight for us 365 days a year. And that's exactly what we should be doing. We should be supporting them, and letting them know that we are behind them 365 days a year," said Smith.
    
Volunteers are in need of items requested by soldiers in Afghanistan to help with a boys orphanage.  The group is also in need of postage to send the packages overseas.

The most requested items by the troops: Entertainment (Current DVDs/Travel Games/Playing Cards); Snack packs of nuts (cashews and pistachios are most requested); Cocoa/drink mix singles; Snack packs of cookies; and Energy bars/granola bars.

To find out how you can help, click here!