CAPE MAY, N.J. — Members of the Jersey Cape Military Spouses' Club stuffed 335 stockings, Wednesday, that will be delivered to recruits at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May on Christmas Eve.
The program known as "Stockings for Recruits" began four years ago and is intended to bring a little joy to those who will be away from home while they attend basic training during the Christmas holiday.
"It's for the recruits as well as their families," said Erin Farr, president of the JCMSC. "We provide a note from home to the recruit and that way they feel connected to their loved ones during Christmas."
The items that go into the stockings are donated by the community and range from personal hygiene items to holiday cards from local school children. This year, Navy Federal Credit Union donated $5,000 to purchase items for the stockings. Additionally, community members donated gift cards to local eateries around town for the recruits to use during their off-base liberty in week seven of their training.
"This is such a special time of the year with a special group of people," said Capt. Todd Prestidge, commanding officer of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. "These ladies are the first to show our new recruits what it means to be a Coast Guard family."
Corry Prestidge and Sandra Keller, members of the Jersey Cape Military Spouses' Club, stuff stockings Dec. 17, 2014, that will be delivered to recruits currently going through training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., Christmas Eve. The "Stockings for Recruits" program is in its fourth year. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards) Erin Farr, president of the Jersey Cape Military Spouses' Club, participates in preparing stockings, Dec. 17, 2014, as part of the "Stockings for Recruits" program. The JCMSC stuffed 335 stockings with personal hygiene items, gift cards and cards from children in the local schools. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards) Joanne Bane, a member of Navy Federal Credit Union, places a letter from home in a stocking Dec. 17, 2014, that will be delivered to a recruit on Christmas Eve as part of the Jersey Cape Military Spouses' Club's "Stockings for Recruits" program. Navy Federal Credit Union donated $5,000 to purchase items for the stockings. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards)