The “A Calm Stocking of Cheer” program more than doubled the cheer for Wetzel County students this year. Billie Zimmerman, along with Karen Greathouse, Jackie Loy and Arisha Mason and Girl Scout Troop #51380, delivered 1,127 stockings to area schools during the week of Dec. 18, more than doubling the approximate 500 stockings from last year.

The program was started last year by Zimmerman and Brittany Howell for the children that may not qualify for the area’s Shop With A Cop/First Responder event. Stuffed stockings are delivered to Wetzel County students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Fifth through eighth grade students received Christmas cards with a gift certificate inside.

“I believe the program was very successful this year, because we did it on such short notice. We weren’t even sure if it would take place. We had only three or four weeks to get stockings stuffed,” Zimmerman remarked.

Every stocking was different, containing a mixture of various items such as crayons, markers, cologne, nail polish, puzzle books, soap, washcloths, socks, toboggans, colored pencils and other various items. The Christmas cards contained gift certificates from places such as Long John Silver’s, Domino’s, Wendy’s and McDonald’s.

A Calm Stocking of Cheer also “adopted” a local family, providing gifts for two children and a Christmas dinner consisting of turkey, mashed potatoes, pies and other fixings.

“I would like to thank the Spieler’s Club for the fundraiser poker run they held, as well as The Moose, Mark West Company and Tina Rush, Shawn Kernan of CSU Inspections LLC, Long John Silver’s, Domino’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Jarvis-Williams Funeral home for helping purchase the gifts for the family,” Zimmerman continued, “Thanks to the community for all of the support and for all they have done. I especially want to thank Shortline School for letting us actually hand-deliver the stockings from room to room. It meant a lot to see all of the kids’ facial expressions and reactions.”

The Girl Scouts will also be helping next year, so they can earn their community service badges.

The program is collecting monetary donations, as well as stocking stuffers, for next year and will be accepted through December 10, 2018. Zimmerman is in the process of setting up a checking account at Bayer Credit Union so monetary donations can be made throughout the year. Candy will not be accepted due to the schools’ dietary restrictions, as well as toy guns. Zimmerman noted that the program prefers single packaged items.

For more information, or to donate, contact Billie Zimmerman at 304-398-2082 or Jackie Loy at 304-904-5299. Information can also be found at “A Calm Stocking of Cheer” Facebook page.

Zimmerman also wanted to clarify that the program is no longer affiliated with the New Martinsville Police Department.