It was part of Operation Ensuring Christmas, the fourth annual such event to provide a touch of home at the holidays for those serving abroad. Volunteers packed boxes with books, magazines, puzzles, personal care items, snacks, Christmas stockings and more -- most importantly, with love -- as they prepared to send them to military members for Christmas. The goal was to send 1,600 boxes, but that may not be possible, since donations for shipping were not reached.
There is a week remaining to collect the funds to ship the boxes; otherwise some Marines may have to share a box with four stockings in it. Anyone who wishes to contribute may go to www.letterstosoldiers.org and click on "Donate."
Commander Charles Edwards of Post 4918 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars attended the event in full uniform. He presented a check for $250 to help with the shipping costs. During the year, the VFW takes contributions and collects funds from activities including their sale of Buddy Poppies to help veterans and their families and to help current military personnel with support activities. Edwards said he wished they had more to contribute, but Denise De Vynck, an organizer of the event, said it was welcome.
"This is the third year in a row they have contributed," she said. "It makes it a total of $950 from our veterans here in American Fork."
Edwards and Kent Blanco, commander of the American Legion post, were among the first to wish the men and women Christmas greetings on a DVD produced by students at UVU and recorded at the Friday event. Military families and others also put in appearances on the production, which will be included in the shipment.
Even Santa was on hand to have photos taken with children of the military families, which will also be included in the boxes.
The volunteers filling the boxes had entertainment while they were working, and food was provided by companies including Chick-fil-A, Mimi's Cafe and BYU Creamery. The Chick-fil-A cow greeted youngsters as they were working.
One of those volunteers was Darryl Weddington, who explained why he chose to participate.
"I volunteered because of the great sacrifices that the men and women of the military are providing," he said. "I know their sacrifice, being away from home and their families, and it is greatly appreciated. I wish them safe passage during their tour of duty and God bless. Again, I appreciate the sacrifices."
Posters made by school children lined the edges of the cafeteria of IM Flash Technologies, where the event was held. They included handprints of the students, some signatures and greetings such as "Merry Christmas from the mountains of Utah," "Thank you for keeping us safe," "Thanks for serving our country" and "May God bless you."
Edwards said the VFW was involved as part of its efforts to help the military personnel.
"The VFW post does everything we can to help the troops in any way we can," he said. "We donated money that is collected from the sale of poppies. We have given about $5,000 to the members and their families. Some of the troops are still involved."
He said when they return, he would like to have them join VFW to help others and themselves.
"We need to get all the troops coming back from the war as members of the VFW," he said. "We can help them with benefits and lots of other things."
De Vynck said the boxes are important to the military members, and they provide more than just the contents.
"It is not just about filling a bunch of boxes," she told the volunteers. "Hundreds of people worked so hard all year to make these items." She gave instructions how to insert the items in the boxes, then added a thought.
"Take them and make sure that box is really, really special," she said. "Actually address a card. Write down who made this box. What happens here sends the wishes to the troops."
She told those assembled what it would be like for the military personnel.
"If you can imagine being alone, being shot at, away from everybody at home, and you don't get anything to open on Christmas day," she said. "That is why we do this. Make sure they don't go without something from home."
"The
event was organized by Denise Devynck, founder of
Letters to Soldiers program."
Letters to Soldiers 
As Gen. David Petraeus began his remarks
at BYU Thursday night, the commanding
general of U.S. Central Command shared
his sense of humor by reading the
following list, which was received by
waves of laughter and applause.
The Baghdad Iraq Military District was
recently created to provide increased
spiritual support for the needs of
approximately 1,300 members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in
Iraq. After six years of meeting as military
groups the Mormon Church now has a palpable
presence and priesthood structure in place
to serve those in the armed forces and
working in other capacities throughout the
country.
