The stockings for Operation Santa are made by volunteers from all over America by individuals and organizations.
The pattern and directions are easy. Any print is acceptable, does not necessarily have to be Christmas. Any fabric except jersey knits or very heavy fabric. Finish all seams by serger, pinking or turning right sides out. Trim and cuff are optional. Be as creative or as simple as you like. Please do not alter from pattern size.
You may download our pattern or if you prefer we mail you a pattern. Send request to Operation Santa, P O Box 10565, Peoria, Illinois 61612. Deadline is November 1. Upon completion call 309-231-5090 to coordinate drop off.
**Who are the stockings sent to?
Stockings are sent to deployed troops from ALL branches of U S Armed Forces, specifically to Iraq/Afghanistan and Combat Support Hospitals.
**How do you determine who the stockings are shipped to?
Individuals submit name/address of deployed loved one for stockings to be shipped to. Beyond that we network with Army/Navy Chaplains. Our mailing reaches troops from all across America. Stockings are shipped to one name/address for distribution to the rest of company, platoon, unit, battalion, etc.
**How can I request stockings for my deployed loved one?
Please follow these simple guidelines:
+Be sure to submit accurate address. Funds for shipping are wasted when boxes are returned due to inaccurate address.
+Make certain your loved one will still be deployed mid-November-December 31st 2008.
+If possible, submit # of how many are serving with submitted name. We don’t want to leave anyone out! If unknown, just put ‘unknown’ and we will estimate.
+Go to Contact Us section of this website and submit info.
**What are funds used for?
Donations are used for shipping costs, items to fill stockings, and fabric for sewing stockings. It costs $5.00 per stocking for everything; fabric, items, shipping.
**What is your projected budget for Operation Santa ’08?
$150,000.00
**What happens to leftover funds, if any?
After completion of shipment, any leftover funds will carry over for continued troop support during 2009. See www.cipfm.us for details.
**What is the deadline for Operation Santa?
Deadline for stockings and items to be turned in is November 1, 2008. Deadline for shipping is November 15, 2008. This will ensure timely arrival for our Heroes.
**What is suggested for the Christmas card entry?
You may address your note to ‘Dear Hero’ as this encompasses all branches of the military, male/female. We suggest the content be kept positive and with expression of gratitude for their service. It doesn’t have to be long. We endeavor to put a homemade card in each stocking.
**How do I obtain a stocking pattern?
It can be downloaded from this site or a newspaper pattern can be mailed to you. Submit your request through address listed under Contact Us.
**Who makes the stockings?
Everyone! Sewing circles, Home Ec classes, Church groups, retirement and nursing home residents, Girl Scouts, families, individuals, Veteran women’s auxiliaries, to name a few. Last year we received stockings made by people from various states.
**Where do I deliver completed stockings to?
Email us to set up delivery or mail to our address located under Contact Us.
**Why do you do this?
Beyond the desire to express our own personal gratitude, there are several reasons why we endeavor to take care of our Beloved Troops. Circumstances vary but here are a few. Some have gone directly into the Military from foster homes and have no family. Other reasons include military families who are financially unable to send support and still others who currently are experiencing broken family relationships.
**How does this affect their morale?
The holidays can be especially lonely and depressing for our troops. For many it is their first time away from home. The thank you letters posted on this website speak for themselves. However, it is important to note that when morale is boosted, our Beloved Troops are able to focus and do their job.
**How are you funded?
We are funded by the generosity of Americans. We take every opportunity to tell everyone about Operation Santa and invite them to join with us in giving our troops a slice of home over the holidays.
**Why can’t stockings go over on Military planes thus saving shipping costs?
Logistics do not allow for this. Our military planes are filled with necessary equipment to combat the War against Terror. Another barrier would be wherever the plane landed, is where the stockings would go and not to our addressees. We have been very fortunate that the North University USPS has been very accommodating to our mass shipment. The employees have often worked over on their own time (unpaid) to process the 1000’s of boxes of stockings over the last three years. We are most grateful for their partnership!