by Kimberly Jacobson
Ten-year-old Gianna Guerra finishes decorating a miniature stocking that will be sent to her dad and his troops, who are serving with the Navy in Germany. Friends at the Boys and Girls Club made cards and filled stockings with goodies to send last week.
Gillian Guerra leans over her Christmas card envelope, drawing another green wreath.
The inside is covered with “come home soon” and many exclamation points.
The card is now on its way to the 7-year-old’s dad, who is stationed in Germany with the Navy this holiday season.
Gillian says she misses her dad and is looking forward to spending time with him when he returns home in January.
“Usually we either go golfing or go to the gym. He comes to our basketball games,” she said.
Last week, Gillian and her 10-year-old sister Gianna made cards and put together miniature stockings to send to their dad and his troops. They got help from friends at the Boys and Girls Club to make the holiday special for their dad and his men.
“So they can sort of feel like they’re here and celebrating Christmas with their families,” Gianna explained.
The kids used markers to make colorful cards and filled stockings with candy canes, chocolate kisses, gum and hot cocoa mix with marshmallows. They decorated the outside with foam words like joy, peace, noel and jolly.
Gianna and her mom came up with the idea to send packages last summer, when dad Stephen was stationed in Afghanistan. And they got the Boys and Girls Club to help.
“He started sending us back pictures,” Gianna said.
The two girls keep in touch with their dad through phone calls and e-mail. This is the first Christmas he is away from the family.
“He calls whenever he gets a chance,” Gianna said.
Both are excited to have a party when he returns.
