The community stepped up to support the military for this Christmas season according to Joyce Leidig of the Military and Family Support Group.   Donations to their “Community Christmas Box” project were plentiful as the group gathered Saturday to put the gift boxes together to be sent to military.

“This year, as in the past, we are doing boxes of support for our military who are deployed, stationed overseas, or stateside,” said Leidig.  “They all need to know that we are supporting them.”

The community donated items for the boxes over the last few months filling donation boxes around the area with snacks, toiletries, and other items as gifts for those serving.  Leidig said that those receiving the Christmas boxes really appreciate what the community does for them.

“Some who have recently returned from deployment really need the support, Leidig said.

About 200 boxes were gathered Saturday with the help from many volunteers.

The Military and Family Support Group was also working on several other projects to help active military and veterans.

“In addition to the Community Christmas Boxes we will be delivering 82 sacks of goodies to our Veterans in the nursing home to honor them on Veterans day; taking large boxes of goodies to our National Guard during their November drill; bags to our local recruiters and making bags of items for homeless veterans,” Leidig said.

Members of the group were very grateful for those who donated and helped make their recent military support efforts possible.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported this project,” Liedig said.  “Our community is the best.”

Photos show volunteers assembling Christmas boxes.