Aberdeen Mails 327 Christmas Stockings To U.S. Troops

ABERDEEN, NJ — U.S. soldiers stationed abroad will get a little holiday cheer from home thanks to Aberdeen residents and the town's first-ever “Stockings for Soldiers” drive, held this past November and December.

A total of 327 stockings filled with goodies were recently assembled to be sent to currently deployed soldiers. Some of the stockings will also go to hospitalized veterans. Local Aberdeen businesses, schools, community groups and residents donated to fill the stockings with items ranging from snacks to essentials such as Chapstick and toothbrushes.

You might have noticed the donation bin at Aberdeen Town Hall, which had to be emptied every day due to the volume of donations. Some residents even penned personal holiday letters to the troops.

The drive was started for Aberdeen's very own police officer Jessica McDougall, who is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy. Thirteen of those stockings will go specifically to McDougall and her troops; their stockings include Bluetooth speakers.

Aberdeen originally pledged to fill 150 stockings, but thanks to the residents of Aberdeen and neighboring towns, the drive was able to more than double that, according to Aberdeen public information officer Brittany Shea.

“I am proud to say that we more than doubled our pledge amount,” said Shea. “The amount of
donations we received was overwhelming to say the least, but the collection effort in itself was
one of the most humbling experiences.”

Shea said that witnessing the generosity of the residents and businesses “truly restored her faith
in humanity.”

“Thank you to our local community and our dedicated public information officer Brittany Shea for making this all possible,” said Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini. “It’s so important to remember those who cannot be home for the holidays.”

Aberdeen partnered with Soldiers’ Angels for this initiative.

Initial Patch report: Aberdeen Collects Stocking Stuffers For Deployed Police Officer