Christmas on post

Christmas is a mere 52 days away. It is by far my favorite holiday, not because of the gifts and food (although I don't turn away from either) but it gives me the perfect reason to pull out that book of craft projects and look for something fun to do. Each year since George and I have met (although a coincidence) I have made a homemade Victorian-theme Christmas ornament.

It actually started with a friend of mine from college, Amy. She enjoys crafts too, but sometimes needs a little push in the direction of figuring out what to do. So our first Christmas in college we made the beautiful beads and cording ornament balls. (The year before I had made some lace angels - that was the beginning.)

After that in college, every year we made a different ornament - mine red, white and gold, hers blue silver and white. One we graduated and moved away I continued making the ornaments, trying new things every year, but always make a couple for her in her theme color. This year we will finally have a tree and I am excited to see how they look.

Another reason i enjoy the holiday season is because there are an abundance of volunteer programs and projects I can do, completely wearing myself out, with the thought that in January I can recuperate. That way, I don't feel obligated all year round (although there are some programs such as AWANAs that I do.)

Here are some of the ones offered on post:

The annual Christmas Food Basket Program: the program is a cooperative effort between post chaplains and the Leesville Area Ministerial Alliance. The groups work with local schools, churches, civic organizations and businesses to collect food for distribution to needy families throughout the local community and Soldiers at Fort Polk. During the 2004 holiday season, more than 600 Christmas baskets were distributed to military families. Individual units will designate a point of contact responsible for identifying Soldiers who could use the basket. Baskets provide a complete holiday meal for families and will include ham or chicken, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rice, sugar and salt.

Christmas Toy Distribution Program: Toy donations of new toys that cost no more than $10. The program provides age- and gender-appropriate toys and books to the children of active-duty Soldiers in need during the Christmas holidays. The goal for this year's program is $20,000 in toys and monetary donations to help Soldiers ensure their children have something beneath the tree on Christmas morning. The Christmas Toy Distribution Program will be incorporated with the chaplains' Christmas Food Basket Program to provide a community-wide approach to meet the needs of military families experiencing financial difficulties.