We would like to share with you what took place Thursday, Dec. 10. We received an email from one of our local Army Reserve units stating that they had several local military families that were having a difficult time this Christmas. They asked if we could assist in helping with this situation. I immediately called Jack Lewis, manager of the East Ridge Food Lion and told him of the need that had been passed on to me. I asked him if he could possibly help with the food list that we had made up for these families. Mr. Lewis asked what he could help with, and I told him we needed five turkeys. Before our conversation ended, Mr. Lewis told me that he would furnish the turkeys for the families.

After talking with Jack Lewis at Food Lion, I called the Reserve Unit and told them of Mr. Lewis’s agreement to furnish the turkeys. They were very surprised and pleased that this matter was taken care of so quickly. Before ending the conversation with SSG Talitha Robertson, personnel Sergeant of the 7239th IMSU at Bonny Oaks Drive, she said that they would need additional food items to feed these five families and their children. I again talked with Mr. Lewis at Food Lion and gave him a list of food items that we would need to buy to go with these turkeys. We arranged a time for us to pick up the turkeys and the other items. Within two days, Mr. Lewis called me and said that he would furnish everything these families needed. He also said that if we would give him the age and sex of the children in these families, he had contacts for toys, and he would get toys for the children. What a wonderful gift for these families!

On Monday, Dec. 21, Mr. Lewis and I delivered all of the packages of food items and toys to the reserve unit on Bonny Oaks Drive. But to add to all he had already done, Mr. Lewis furnished these families with hams instead of turkeys.

Thank you Jack Lewis of East Ridge Food Lion for making some of our military families in need have a joyful Christmas. Also a special thank you to SSG Talitha Robertson and Sgt. Veazey of 7239th IMSU located at Bonny Oaks Drive for trusting Operation Coffee Cup with this mission of love so that someone could indeed have a very Merry Christmas.

We know this is what Christmas is about, giving to someone in need. This is what God did for us all when He gave his only Son Jesus Christ.

We believe you can see for yourself that our work for the soldiers is sometimes very fast paced to make a plan work, but we enjoy every minute of it. We are looking forward to the new year, as our program grows.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Roger Sherrill lives in Ringgold. He can be reached by email at halojumper@charter.net or by phone at 706-937-3918.