As holiday schedules get busy in the coming days and weeks, The Press and Blue Ridge Communications are asking the public to not forget those who have given so much.

Now in its third year of giving, Blue Ridge invites all to share in adding some of the warmth of the yuletide season with Keystone Soldiers and its Stockings for Soldiers program, by sending much-needed and requested food and hygiene items and Christmas cards to our men and women spending Christmas away from home and stationed in such countries as: Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

"We owe today's U.S. service members a debt that can never be repaid," Julianne Farina, marketing/public relations coordinator for Blue Ridge Communications, said. "Just think of the men and women serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world. They are making tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation and keep America free."

In its 10th year of operation, the Stockings for Soldier program is 100 percent funded by public donations.

"Since the recession, the donations have diminished," Farina said. "As a result, they sometimes have items to ship, but no money to ship them, or they have the funds, but not donations. Here is where we can help. This year we want to stuff Christmas stockings with much-needed items, to be sent to our soldiers just in time for Christmas."

The 2011 collection through Blue Ridge Communications was a huge success. More than $1,600 was raised for shipping, and close to two tons of items were collected for stuffing the stockings, as well as more than 1,700 cards for the soldiers.

"We appreciate your support for our troops and for Keystone Soldiers," Kyle Lord, founder of Keystone Soldiers, said after last year's collection. "I would like to thank the Pencor family for their amazing efforts for Keystone Soldiers and for our troops.

"We have never worked with a group of people who embraced our project with such commitment and vigor.

"It has been a wonderful experience and is appreciated from the bottom of my heart. This project would not have happened without your support. The employees and donors at Blue Ridge Communications were very special standouts over the holiday season. Their enthusiasm and dedication to our project was unparalleled. Thank you!"

Farina is anticipating the same kind of commitment from the public again this year.

"We would love to support our soldiers near and far," Farina said. "Please join us in recognizing and thanking our defenders of freedom."

The following is a current Christmas Wish List for care packages, which will go to all branches of the military and to locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea and any other troops who request support from home.

"All items are sorted and packed according to the requests we get directly from the troops or their families," Farina said. "Since we are gearing up for the holiday season, we have added the special holiday items to our list."

·Christmas stockings: 12-inch to 20-inch in size; handmade or purchased;

·Christmas hats: Santa or elf;

·Paper or plastic Christmas decorations (no glass ornaments or lights);

·Ground or instant coffee, hot tea; coffee creamer, sugar packets;

·Power bars, cereal bars, trail mix, granola bars and healthy snacks;

·Slim Jims, beef or turkey jerky;

·Sunflower seeds and nuts;

·Individual snacks, such as chips, crackers, cookies, cheese/cracker kits;

·Peanut butter and jelly, small size plastic jars;

·Candy canes;

·Small sewing kits and manicure kits;

·Sunscreen and insect repellent;

·ChapStick with sunscreen, Blistex;

·Deodorant, travel size;

·Foot powder and foot cream for athlete's foot;

·Odor Eaters (for boots), Dr. Scholl's foot pads, blister pads;

·Hand sanitizer, small size bottles;

·Men's, women's calf high socks or boot socks, black or white;

·Hand and foot warmers;

·Thermal gloves or glove liners;

·New or used game systems, such as PS3, PS2, WII, Xbox or Xbox 360;

·Video games or small hand-held games;

·CDs, DVDs, new or used. Current releases are appreciated;

·AT&T Global Pre-Paid Calling Cards (available at aafes.com); and

·Money for shipping costs.

U.S. Postal Service regulations do not allow anything in aerosol cans to be shipped. Shipping takes about 14 to 21 days to the combat zones.

It takes about a week to get everything sorted and boxed, so keep this in mind when you are checking expiration dates on food items.

Farina says they are not accepting books.

Items may be brought to the Lehigh Valley Press Office at 1633 N. 26th St., South Whitehall.