Christmas stockings for soldiers

DAHLONEGA - Dahlonega Funeral Home is one of the nearly 1,000 participating Veterans & Family Memorial Care providers nationwide participating in the annual VFMC Christmas Stockings for Soldiers initiative.

From now thru December 1, you may stop in to pick-up a free Christmas stocking to take home, decorate and stuff with Christmas cheer. Along with the stocking, you will receive a list of recommended items. Dahlonega Funeral Home will then ship the stockings at its expense to troops abroad in time for Christmas.

"Sending our heroes some good tidings and holiday cheer is a great way for us to show our support and appreciation for the sacrifices they make to keep our country safe and secure," said owner Lauren McDonald.

As part of its membership in Veterans & Family Memorial Care, Dahlonega Funeral Home is also an official drop off center for Cell Phones for Soldiers. Old cell phones are recycled and turned into free calling cards for soldiers. Last year VFMC Providers nationwide collected enough old cell phones to provide overseas troopers with over 1 million free calling minutes. The goal this year is 2 million.