Twice a year our family joins other military families to visit sick and injured recruits at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (Boot Camp) in San Diego.
(This also happens at Parris Island, SC.) We do this on Christmas morning and the day before Easter.
We deliver patriotic stockings to each of the sick and injured Marine recruits on base. Our goal is to bring cheer to these special people on this special weekend and to show them how much we support them and stand behind their determination to become a United States Marine.
You can't believe what this does for these guys. They wake up that morning to what will most likely be just another boring day as they wait to heal.
When they come back from morning chow and see us waiting there with big smiles and hugs, well, the transformation is amazing.
Check out photos and a report from last year's visit.
Here are comments from recruits and others about this project.
You can be part of that impact - in a very simple way! SO many Funnies readers helped us out for our Christmas visit and we're hoping you can help again.
These patriotic holiday stockings are filled with items that have been donated from various sources. The recruits receive phone cards, envelopes, stamps, note pads, and pens. But the key gift in this stocking is a bundle of letters that we collect from children all over the country. At Christmas each recruit had 12 letters in their stocking. That's over 8000 letters!
Would you please help by collecting letters and/or drawings from children of all ages? The subject can be patriotic, holiday wishes, or even a simple thank you for serving our county. It can be from schools, Sunday schools, clubs, and just your own kids. (Adults can send letters, too.)
You can also forward this email to others (teachers, pastors, principals,
etc.) you think might be able to participate.
Maybe your school, church or organization can make this a holiday project?
Following are simple guidelines for the letters:
- Notes, letters, pictures and cards accepted.
- Salutation should be "Dear Recruit"
- Envelope for each letter/drawing is not necessary - send it all in one package to the address below.
- NO personal return addresses.
- Mark the back of each note with a classroom sticker or stamp with the school address, if you desire possible responses from recruits.
Please ship the letters ON OR BEFORE March 15 to the address closest to you:
Marine Easter Letter Project
c/o The Averys
2403 West Sunnyside Ave
Visalia CA 93277
Marine Easter Letter Project
c/o Debra Collins
11 Glen Drive
Thorsby AL 35171
Thanks in advance for your support of our project. We can make the Easter season just a little better for these recruits, who SO desire to serve our country.
Thanks!
Mikey
