- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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If you happened into the Traditions & Beyond 2005 Quilt Show at the FIELD last weekend (10/01-10/02) you probably found Pat Costantini at the Quilters Corner booth. She was handing out fabric kits to make Christmas Stockings for Marines in Iraq. This is part of "Operation Santa USMC 2005," a program that sends a bit of home to marines at Christmas time.
A group that Ms. Costantini is involved with is responsible for the First Light Armor Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, which is comprised of about 700 marines. Each platoon of about 30 soldiers will be sent a filled Christmas stocking for each Marine in the platoon. The package will include a small fold-up Christmas tree with decorations, a Christmas CD, Christmas Cards for each Marine, cookies, candy, and snacks, plus gifts that the platoon can share (board games, decks of cards, DVDs).
A group that Ms. Costantini is involved with is responsible for the First Light Armor Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, which is comprised of about 700 marines. Each platoon of about 30 soldiers will be sent a filled Christmas stocking for each Marine in the platoon. The package will include a small fold-up Christmas tree with decorations, a Christmas CD, Christmas Cards for each Marine, cookies, candy, and snacks, plus gifts that the platoon can share (board games, decks of cards, DVDs).
Pat Costantini Her table was at the front of the Quilters Corner booth. Visitors could get a pre-cut fabric kit and sew it together at the booth, or bring kits home to turn in later. A customer of the store, she was offered the space by the owners. "They are also a drop-off point for people who took the kits home to make the stockings and cool ties after the quilt show. "They've been very supportive." Visitors to the booth who made a stocking or a cool tie were entered into a drawing for a gift certificate from the store.Her son was the commander of the First LAR for two years. "He is in school now," says Ms. Costantini. His wife is working with the new commander's wife for Operation Santa for the battalion that is in Iraq right now."
She also had kits to make "cool ties," scarves made of a strip of fabric filled with crystals that swell when soaked. When it is soaked it swells up. Marines wear them around their neck or inside their helmets, where the water evaporates and keeps them cool. "We've sent about 1500 to the Marines over the last two years," Ms. Costantini reports. "I have a post card from one, who said, 'It was 122 degrees when we opened your box and we really appreciate it. They really work.'"
If you would like to sew a stocking for Operation Santa contact Pat Costantini by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 257-5903 |
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