Freshmen continue Stockings for Soldiers legacy

This year’s group of ninth-grade volunteers includes Brady Cervi, Joey Duda, Sebastian Echiverria, Nick Ellis, Luke Holtschlag, Fisher Leimkuehler, Porter Livingston, Shane McDermott, Jacob Mongillo, Jordan Peters, Penn Rickel, Greyson Sayler, Jackson Twerdy, Eli Unice, and Collin Ziegler.

The annual tradition began several years ago when Collin’s older brother, Garrett – a 2024 USCHS graduate – and his friends decided to make the holidays brighter for deployed troops. When Garrett graduated, Collin stepped in and recruited his peers to keep the initiative going and growing.

“This has been going on for four seasons,” Heather Ziegler, Collin’s mom, said. “They started smaller and have increased the amount they collect each year. Last year they set the goal to fill 100 stockings.”

Students pick-up free Christmas stockings from Beinhauer Family Funeral Home, which first launched its Stockings for Soldiers project in 2015. Throughout the year, the boys collect snacks, drink mixes, toiletries, books and card games to pack inside. Each stocking also includes a hand-written note expressing gratitude for the troops’ service. 

“The boys each collect items throughout the year and get together Thanksgiving weekend to fill the stockings,” Mrs. Ziegler said. “They like seeing that this small act of kindness can make a big difference.”

The filled stockings are then returned to the Beinhauers for shipping to troops overseas. 

“The boys want to thank active-duty military members who will be spending Christmas far from home,” Mrs. Ziegler said. “At least three boys – Collin, Greyson and Brady – have parents that served in the military.”