Student Hosts Stockings for Soldiers Drive

This year, students at the high school came together and volunteered for the Stockings for Soldiers program. Students brightened the holidays for service members by packing donated materials into stockings that were sent over to United States troops.

Stockings for Soldiers is a nationwide volunteer effort that sends care packages to deployed troops overseas. Volunteers for the organization provide necessary items, goodies, and kind messages. This year, junior Logan Grayston brought the mission to the high school and community by running a donation drive and providing volunteer opportunities for students. He explained that he felt inspired to take on the project because he “had family [who] serve[d]” and “it always feels good to give back to a community that supported [his] family.”

To organize the event, Grayston set out a bin for donations and promoted the drive every Friday. Items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, socks and candy were accepted in the drive. With the materials from high school’s donations, students gathered at Brandywine Town Center in Delaware to stuff the stockings on November 18, which had a successful turnout. The event was filled with teamwork and effort, with students working together to sort items, pack stockings, and prepare them for shipping. After the items are sorted into care packages, the Stockings for Soldiers organization sends them off to troops in countries around the world.

While the event helped the U.S. troops, it also helped the high school community. Grayston said, “Stockings for Soldiers helps connect people with each other and build a sense of community between participants.” His leadership helped create an opportunity for students to have a large impact for soldiers. Through Stockings for Soldiers, the community is reminded that small acts of kindness and volunteering can travel far and even aid someone in need.