WHAT: Recruits currently attending training at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J. will receive Christmas stockings from the Jersey Cape Military Spouses' Club. Media is invited to attend the event. If you are media who is interested in attending, please contact Mrs. Kristen Gallego at 1-401-297-9163 to RSVP.
WHEN: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014.
WHERE: Ida Lewis Auditorium aboard Coast Guard Training Center Cape May.
CAPE MAY, N.J. — The Jersey Cape Military Spouses' Club are preparing to host another "Stockings for Recruits" event, Wednesday, to help Coast Guard recruits celebrate the Christmas holiday while they are attending basic training.
The program, known as "Stockings for Recruits," is in its fourth year.
"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."