Newspapers reach out to troops during holiday season

The snow falls lightly on the streets. Christmas tree lights twinkle through frosted windows. Everyone is snug in their warm homes with their families, awaiting the morning light.

Almost everyone.

While the holidays are a time for family togetherness, many families across southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri will experience a holiday season away from a family member serving overseas.

To show area troops how much their communities appreciate what they do, The Fort Scott Tribune and the Nevada Daily Mail will hold a Christmas Card drive from Nov. 19 to Dec. 3.

The newspapers are collecting homemade or store-bought Christmas cards, letters and pictures, prepared with the senders' messages of hope and thanks, to send to area troops. Bring the items to The Fort Scott Tribune, 12 E. Wall, and to the Nevada Daily Mail, 131 S. Cedar. Decorated boxes will be placed at both offices. The packages must be shipped on Dec. 3 to ensure they reach the troops by Christmas.

"This is really just a simple thing that we can do to lighten the troops' spirits," Tabatha Goodwin, The Fort Scott Tribune/Nevada Daily Mail special projects manager, said. "My dad served in Iraq for a year and any reminder of home that we sent him made a world of difference." The newspapers are hoping that area schools will take time to make these small tokens of appreciation for the troops who are defending our freedom and cannot be with their families during the holidays. Goodwin can be contacted to schedule a time to pick up cards, letters and pictures from schools that have mass participation.

This drive was created in conjunction with the Christmas parades in Fort Scott and Nevada.

"The theme in both communities reminded us of troops serving overseas and we wanted to honor them and area veterans," Goodwin said. The Fort Scott Tribune and the Nevada Daily Mail are also asking veterans from both communities to ride on their float in the parades.

For more information about the Christmas Card drive or about riding in the parade with The Fort Scott Tribune or the Nevada Daily Mail, contact Goodwin at (417) 667-3344 or tgoodwin@nevadadailymail.com.