Pocono News Section

Help Needed With "Stockings From Santa"

Help Needed With "Stockings From Santa" - Monday, November 30, 2009 at 5:42PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 @ 05:42pm EST
Lewisburg, Union County-

The owners of a pet store in central Pennsylvania are doing their part to send some holiday cheer to our troops overseas.

And they could use your help stuffing some "Stockings from Santa."

Judy Humenanski has been involved with the national Adopt-A-Platoon soldier support effort for the past decade.

She said, "They need help. They want to know that there are people here that still care about them."

Humenanski owns the aptly-named Pet Platoon store in Lewisburg.

She stuffed a stocking for just one soldier that first year. She'll send out more than 150 this year.

Humenanski explained, "I really enjoy being in contact with the soldiers. And it means a lot to them just to know that there are people back home here that really care."

Assistant Manager Dave Fumanti is Judy's right-hand man when it comes to getting the stockings to her soldiers.

Fumanti said, "It makes a big difference when we hear back from them knowing how much they appreciate it. We want to make them feel that they still have a connection at home. There are people that are thinking about them."

Store employees say snacks, books, games, and personal care products are very popular- anything that gives the soldiers a small taste of home.

Humenanski noted, "Candy, gum, power bars, any type of powdered drink mixes, they love that. Socks, warm socks."

They'll be collecting donations at the Pet Platoon through December 12th. We're told even the smallest gift, like a Christmas card, would be greatly appreciated.

Fumanti added, "It could be as small as just a pen pal, it could be those who care to send things out, but we'll take any help we can get. We have probably more requests than we can handle."

You can get more information on helping the "Stockings from Santa" program in a variety of ways:

-call the Pet Platoon at 570-523-PETS (7387),
-stop in at the Pet Platoon at 246 N. Derr Drive, Lewisburg,
-email them at thepetplatoon@hotmail. com,
-or visit .