Since 2003 we have gathered support from Logan Countians and put together bicycles, tricycles, toys, turkeys, non-perishable foods, Wal-Mart gift certificates, cash donations and even computers to be delivered to Fort Campbell and distributed to the military families whose loved ones are risking their lives every day for you and me.

Last year was made even more special because we added something a little different. We asked all Logan County and Russellville school children to help by having them each make their own Shoebox Gift thus allowing the children to be involved in a simple, hands-on outreach activity. Because all the troops were home in 2006 for Christmas, they were there to see the stacks and stacks of shoeboxes and saw first hand how the children of Logan County had given a part of themselves to help others have a Merry Christmas. To see the looks and smiles on the faces of the soldiers and their families was a sight to behold. We're hoping the children will participate again this year in shoebox gifts for the soldier's children.

As a way of helping to ease the stress of gift buying and planning for a Christmas dinner while their loved ones are away at war we are asking everyone to open up your hearts and share a little bit of your Christmas with them by purchasing a few extra toys, canned goods or non-perishable food items, gift certificates, phone cards, etc. Cash donations will be used to purchase turkeys and canned goods.

We ask that all donations be in by Dec. 17. There will be at least four locations where items can be dropped off. Please make sure all toys are wrapped with a tag on the outside of the package designating it to be for a boy or girl and the appropriate age group. All cash donations should be in a sealed envelope with “Soldier's Family Christmas” written on the outside of the envelope. To be eligible for a tax write-off, make your checks payable to “Agape For Soldier's Christmas”. The designated locations to drop your donations off are: Agape Service Foundation, 501 Johnson St., Democrat Headquarters, 109 S. Main Street on Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Cates Construction and the Russellville Fire Department on Main St. If you need more information or need items to be picked up you may call Brother Joe Carrico at 725-7348, Martha Jane King 657-2707 or Patricia Hedges at 847-7349 or 726-9613. For any Logan County soldier's family, please call one of the phone numbers above to be included.

Christmas is the season for giving, and one small gift can put a smile on a child's face and help those families who have to cope with the fact that their loved ones will not be coming home this Christmas. Your generous donations will let the soldiers and their families know that all of us here in Logan County have not forgotten them.

Let's make this a successful show of love, support and caring for those who fight and risk their lives daily just for us.