A Lockport military mom has a problem she's hoping a Western New Yorker can help her solve.
Teresa Manna needs a U-Haul style truck to take 5,000 Christmas Stockings from Lockport to a Norfolk, Virginia Navy base.
For the past eight years Manna has gathered stocking stuff donations and with the help of volunteers stuffed stockings for U.S. Soldiers who are overseas during the holidays. It all started after a holiday phone call with her daughter who was then stationed in Iraq.
"She asked me to send her a particular candy. Something I knew she didn't really care for. I asked her, why? She said it was for somebody who didn't get any mail or packages," Manna said.
The mom of two children quickly found out there are a lot of soldiers overseas with no one back home to send them anything. Emmanuel United Methodist Church has let her and volunteers use the church to stuff the stockings with items like gum, candy, deck of cards, magazines, yo-yos, tooth brushes, etc.
Manna has been coming out of her own pocket to foot the bill to ship thousands of stockings each year.
"We get donations, but donations never cover shipping expenses. They never have. I've had to put it on my Visa and taken out loans," Manna said.
This year is different. The military is willing to put five thousand stockings on carrier ships and take them to seven different countries, if, Manna can get them to the base in Norfolk by November 14th.
The problem is she needs a large truck to get them there.She said she has a driver, but needs a truck.
She's now praying someone will find it in their heart to help her bring joy to the brave men and women who keep us all safe.
If you want to help call (716) 438-8075 or e-mail usss.stockings@yahoo.com
