A long‑running local Christmas tradition has turned into an urgent call for help. For 19 years, The Battery Station, Salutes, and the community have shipped Christmas presents to deployed military units. In recent years, organizers shifted their focus to hosting a Christmas dinner for local veterans and active‑duty service members, with this year’s event set for December 17.
However, organizers say an unexpected request has arrived. Sgt. Allen, currently deployed in the Middle East, reached out with an urgent need for morale‑boosting support. Because of the deployment timeline, items must be shipped by September 17, leaving little time to gather supplies.
The Battery Station is asking local schools and families to help by providing children’s cards for troops, along with snack items such as hard candy, trail mix, coffee, playing cards, dominoes, magazines, and chewing gum.
Community members can email troops@batterystation.com or call 417‑257‑7799 with questions or to offer support.
Organizers say each box will include a card listing all individuals and organizations who contributed, emphasizing that the effort represents the entire community’s appreciation—not any single group.
Kevin Faulkner stopped by to talk about the drive:
