Bucks IU Students, Supporters Stuff 2,330 Stockings For Soldiers

DOYLESTOWN, PA — In the sixth year of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit at Samuel Everitt's annual Stockings for Soldiers program, students stuffed 2,330 stockings — well beyond their goal of 1,500.

The idea for this program began with Shannon Hamilton, Bucks IU Autistic Support Teacher, wanting to send some holiday cheer to her Marine Corps brother and fellow Marines who were stationed overseas during the holidays. She wanted to send goodies like granola bars, gum, mints, basic hygiene items, puzzle books, etc., along with a personal note.

Hamilton worked with other teachers and therapists to make this a student project by incorporating all the tasks and activities needing to be completed, setting them up to correlate to the individual educational needs of the school’s students with special needs.

“Seeing a program that promotes giving, caring, and community that is also successfully adapted to meet the individual educational plans of our students, is truly heartwarming," Executive Director Mark Hoffman said. "The smiles and excitement of the students combined with the learning, and helping others is a wonderful representation of our Bucks IU programs and efforts of our outstanding staff.”

Donations began to arrive in September, with students opening boxes and sorting items, keeping a detailed inventory, counting and bagging candies, and even making a card for every stocking.

Physical and occupational therapy skills are supported by practicing things such as manual dexterity, mobility, gripping, and balance, according to a news release. The project also encourages interpersonal skills, as students find themselves collaborating, learning to be patient, and having to share. Some activities support academic skills such as math (counting, tracking), computer skills (entering data), and English (writing notecards).

"This is a fun, learning, and giving program they look forward to participating in every year," representatives wrote in the news release.

Local legislators even stopped by the program to help assemble the stocking this year. Senator Maria Collett came by to learn more about this program and see how it works firsthand; Representative Wendi Thomas and Representative Tina Davis visited again this year.

The school thanked Fore the Troops, a nonprofit charitable organization that raises money to support philanthropic organizations focused on programs and support of military personnel and their families. The organization donated $6,528 to cover all the shipping costs of the 345 boxes of stockings sent to troops all over the world.

Bucks IU also thanked:

• Tawanka Elementary (Neshaminy School District) where each grade was assigned a specific item to bring in (granola bars, gum, etc.) resulting in an entire truckload of donations.
• Maple Point Middle School (Neshaminy School District) 8th graders who started simply collecting change and with their donation drive expanded, raised over $800.
• Schools and daycares collecting donations, being a community drop-off site, and/or making cards: Mill Creek Elementary (Bristol Township School District), Valley Elementary (Bensalem School District), Cornwells Elementary (Bensalem School District), Snyder Middle School (Bensalem School District) and Bensalem High School (made over 750 cards), Kiddie Academy (in Feasterville and Warminster), Bucks IU (Doylestown).
• Tre Fratelli (Langhorne) who donated 300 stockings when the program was unsure if there would be enough.
• VFW 9220 (Bensalem), assisted by VFW 9198 (Andalusia), who donated over $1000 worth of stocking goodies.
• Various Giant Supermarkets, BJs, and Sam’s Club who supported the Bucks IU with their very generous donations.
• The many individuals, businesses, and organizations who donated directly at drop-off sites and/or through the program’s online wish lists.

The Bucks IU at Samuel Everitt is already planning for the seventh annual program in 2022. Those interested in donating can contact Shannon Hamilton at SHamilton@BucksIU.org.

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