Fall has arrived, which means the holidays can’t be far behind. This year, area residents and state employees have the opportunity to make the holiday season special for servicemen and women who are stationed far from home.
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is working with area businesses and organizations to collect gift items for military care packages. These gifts will be mailed to military personnel through a partnership with the nonprofit group, Military Missions Inc., of Lexington.
Collection boxes have been placed in several Frankfort-area locations. (See accompanying info box for needed items and box locations). They were donated by Rumpke and decorated by local students from the King Center, Paul Sawyier Public Library, Western Hills High School and Franklin County High School.
Donations can be made through Nov. 30, at which point the items will be turned over to Military Missions. Beth Pennington, founder of Military Missions, said her group hopes to mail 2,000 care packages to deployed soldiers this holiday season. Last year, her organization mailed 1,250 packages.
“We try to be practical with what we send them,” said Pennington, “but at the same time we try to send something fun.”
Pennington’s son serves in the U.S. Marines and she has spent the last five holiday seasons making sure that deployed soldiers receive something special from home. Her mailing deadline, which assures holiday delivery, is in early December.
Pennington is asking the Frankfort community to donate small gift items such as travel games, books, gift cards that soldiers can redeem online, playing cards and other gifts to remind the soldiers of home.
The military care package items are being collected as part of KHS’s contribution to upcoming Candlelight Tour activities, set for Nov. 12-14 in downtown Frankfort. KHS is working closely with Downtown Frankfort Inc.; Candlelight Tour sponsor Whitaker Bank; and Commonwealth Credit Union to provide a full schedule of activities. Visit www.history.ky.gov/candlelight to learn more about KHS Candlelight Tour activities.
The Society is opening a new military exhibition called “Kentucky Military Treasures: Selections from the Kentucky Historical Society Collections” on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The exhibition spans nearly 200 years of military conflicts – from the War of 1812 to more recent engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq – and tells the stories of Kentuckians who fought and sometimes lost their lives in these battles. “Kentucky Military Treasures” is providing the framework for all of KHS’s Candlelight Tour activities.
“Candlelight Tour is an important event for KHS, where we can hopefully entertain and give something back to the community,” said Kent Whitworth, KHS executive director. “What better way to do that than to help show our appreciation for military personnel who can’t be home this holiday season?”
If you would like to make a donation for military care packages, simply visit one of the following locations or contact Nichole Harrod at 502-564-1792 or by email at Nichole.harrod@ky.gov.