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Calm Stocking of Cheer Program Continues

By Staff | Nov 29, 2017

Local Girl Scout Troop #51380 is joining forces with Wetzel County resident Billie Zimmerman, to ensure that every Wetzel County student, in grades Pre-K through fourth, receives a Christmas stocking full of Christmas goodies. (Photo provided)

Last year, two local ladies took it upon themselves to ensure that area children had a small token of Christmas cheer. The endeavor is continuing this year, with help from some local Girl Scouts.

Last year, Wetzel residents Billie Zimmerman and Brittany Howell were strong supporters of the area’s Shop With A Cop/First Responder program. However, they had worried about children who might “fall through the cracks,” who might not qualify for the Shop With A Cop/First Responder program. Therefore, “A Calm Stocking of Cheer” was born.

The duo created a Facebook page and worked to spread the word on their stocking stuffing initiative. Through their, and the community’s, efforts, approximately 500 stockings were passed out to local youngsters at Wetzel County Schools.

All four of Wetzel County’s elementary schools received stockings for youth, “some more than others, but all four benefitted,” Zimmerman reported last year.

Each child, in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth, received a bit of Christmas joy. If a child did not receive a stocking, he or she might have received a card with a gift certificate for a free slurpee, sundae, frosty, or taco.

A Calm Stocking of Cheer also was able to “adopt” a local family, providing Christmas gifts and dinner fixings to the family.

This year, A Calm Stocking of Cheer has received some very special backing, in the form of Girl Scout Troop #51380. The troop is led by Jackie Loy and Arisha Mason.

The extra help is very much needed as Zimmerman has bigger goals to fulfill. This year, she hopes to see every Wetzel County child, in grades Pre-K through fourth, receive a stocking. Each child, in grades fifth through eighth, will hopefully receive a Christmas card, along with a gift certificate.

Currently, Zimmerman has received word that the stocking stuffing crew will need to fill 648 stockings for two of the county’s four schools. She is projecting an additional few hundred through the county’s two other elementary schools. A Calm Stocking of Cheer is in need of stockings and stuffers. Ideas for stocking stuffers include crayons, markers, puzzle books, mini flashlights, earbuds, mittens, lanyard for keys, socks, toy cars, marbles, sunglasses, nail polish, yo-yos, bubbles, USB flash drive, mini puzzles, bubble baths, playing cards, and more. Calm Stocking of Cheer organizers request that donations do not include candy, due to schools’ dietary restrictions.

Donations for A Calm Stocking of Cheer will be accepted through Dec. 12. For more information, or to make a donation, folks can contact Billie Zimmerman at 304-398-2082, Jackie Loy at 304-904-5299, or Brittany Young at 304-815-4547.

Organizers of A Calm Stocking of Cheer wish to clarify that this program is not associated with the Shop with The Cop program or any other organization. A Calm Stocking of Cheer is run solely by individuals Billie Zimmerman and Brittany Howell, with the help of Jackie Loy, Arisha Mason, and local Girl Scout Troop #51380.