Royal Oak Kids Become Desert Angels for Holidays

Northwood Elementary School’s first- and second-graders are making this holiday season a little brighter for troops overseas and around the world.

Wednesday morning, each of the children made holiday cards with special notes for the troops and were packing more than 180 handmade stockings full of goodies donated by Northwood parents.

Through the help of The Desert Angel and the generosity of Northwood parents, all items will be boxed and sent to the troops this evening, just in time for the holiday season.

"The stockings were hand made by a group of ladies in Estro, FL, under the direction of Rita Hoke," said retired Royal Oak school teacher Carole Carroll, who serves as vice president of The Desert Angel organization and is founder of Miracle Quilts. "We call them Miracle Boxes."

Carroll retired from teaching in Royal Oak in 2004. After looking at The Desert Angel Packing Party flier for months, she finally decided to jump in. This is the second annual Packing Party at Northwood.

"The look on the kids' faces when they put their notes in a stocking is priceless," Carroll said.

Betty Ann Garlak, who teaches first and second grade at Northwood, initiated the Packing Party with Carroll. The children in her classroom were thrilled to be bringing a small piece of joy to the troops.

“The kids loved writing their special notes and decorating the cards. It has been a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about deployment and what it means to serve our country,” Garlak said, adding that she hopes it will continue to be an annual event for many years to come.  

Stocking stuffers include hot cocoa, tea, cookies, socks, and candy – all donated by the students' families.

"We decided to do it in November in honor of Veterans Day and still be able to get it to the troops in time for the holidays," Garlak said.  

The Desert Angel was founded by Louise Downs, who began sending small packages to her friend’s son, Charles Lunsford of the U.S. Air Force, while Lunsford was stationed overseas. It soon became clear that notes and gifts were desperately needed to keep the troops' morale high and show their service was appreciated.

“Americans are good-hearted people. They really want to do something to support our troops; I show them how,” Downs said.  

Once the stockings are stuffed, each one is placed in a postage-paid box to be shipped. Most of the packages are delivered to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each package is addressed to a particular person, whose name was submitted by a friend, family member or loved one.

“Some troops get absolutely nothing from back home," Carroll said. "We want to make sure every member of the military knows they are loved and appreciated.”

Besides the stockings, the troops also receive a variety of items that can include handmade fleece blankets and pillows, head gear inserts for heating and cooling, books, hand warmers, religious material and much more. All items are donated through public offerings and the generosity of people all over Michigan, Carroll said.

“Even the boxes and postage are donated” Carroll said. “The parents and children here at Northwood are amazing!”

For more information or to host your own Packing Party visit www.TheDesertAngel.com.