header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 20
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
chaplains


As the holidays approach, local nonprofit support group Prayer Angels for the Military is seeking donations and assistance in sending holiday care packages to hometown troops away from home.

“Operation Thank our Troops” has been hosted by the organization for 17 years, as the Santa Clarita Valley sends care packages to local troops overseas year-round.

“My son Will, a combat veteran, loved getting packages from his family, but getting one from his own community was awesome,” said Suzon Gerstel, president of the Prayer Angels. “Knowing they care about you and pray for you means a lot.”

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic left the organization without the needed resources to support troops.

“Holidays are hard for deployed troops, being away from their families, so sending them a care package this time of year can cheer them up,” Gerstel added.

That’s why Prayer Angels are calling for local businesses, community members, students and veterans to help out if they can.

Items are needed to fill the holiday care packages, as well as cards for the troops, from all ages, to go inside the packages. In addition, tax-deductible funds are needed for shipping costs.

“Our troops love getting cards and pictures from kids,” Gerstel said. “My son said many would even carry a card around in their pocket. On a real bad day, you could read it and be reminded of one very good reason why they do what they do.”

Christmas and Hanukkah packages are expected to be assembled and mailed out through Dec. 11, and winter packages are set to continue through January.

Most-needed items include jerky, Slim Jims, beef logs, crackers, gum and hard candy with sugar-free options, chocolate, smooth peanut butter in plastic jars, single-serving snacks, cookies, drink packets for water bottles and granola and protein bars, while holiday items can also be donated to make each package festive. Winter scarves and beanies are also needed.

Checks can be made payable to and mailed to Prayer Angels for the Military at 21609 Oak Orchard Road, Newhall 91321, or donations can be made online at prayerangelsforthemilitary.com, and a donation bin is available 24/7 at the same address.

Contact Gerstel to add troop names to the list or for more information call 661-799-8865 or email prayerangelsforthemilitary@yahoo.com.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Sep 20, 2024
Sept. 24: Council to Discuss Plans for Whittaker Site
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. The council will discuss plans for the former Whittaker-Bermite property.
Friday, Sep 20, 2024
SUSD Committee Adjourns Meeting Due to Unruly Crowd
The meeting of the Saugus Union School District Asset Management Advisory Committee was adjourned after a large crowd reportedly became unruly during the public comment session.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Nets $300K from NASA for Student Access to STEM Fields
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The city of Santa Clarita is seeking community feedback on a public safety grant proposal for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. All public comments must be received by noon on Friday, Sept. 27.
City Seeks Community Feedback on Safety Grant
California Institute of the Arts alum Gala Porras-Kim (Art MFA 2009) was named by Teresa Heinz and the Heinz Family Foundation as one of nine recipients of the 29th Heinz Awards.
CalArts Alum Receives Heinz Award for the Arts
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: Regular Meeting of the Hart School Board
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. The council will discuss plans for the former Whittaker-Bermite property.
Sept. 24: Council to Discuss Plans for Whittaker Site
The meeting of the Saugus Union School District Asset Management Advisory Committee was adjourned after a large crowd reportedly became unruly during the public comment session.
SUSD Committee Adjourns Meeting Due to Unruly Crowd
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
chaplains
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Nets $300K from NASA for Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Mendelson Presents ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals as COC Women Finish 4th at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board Appoints College Prof to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Assistance Centers Open for Residents Hit by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Hosts Resource Fair for Vets
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
SCVNews.com