FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla.-– It was two years ago this December when Julie Mixon Bargeron’s life changed forever. On December 8, 2010, her 23-year-old son Kelly was killed in action serving overseas.
It’s in his memory, Bargeron is now doing this. It’s called “Trees for Troops.” She got the idea after talking with a local Marine who’s currently stationed in Afghanistan.
"I asked him, I said 'Dylan, what would you like for Christmas?' He said just a few ornaments and lights,” Julie recalled.
Twelve large packages with three decorated trees to a box and 123 stuffed stockings later, clearly she took it a bit further than that.
With the help of Pastor Hollie Tapley and her congregation at Memorial United Methodist Church, the outpouring of support was greater than anything they ever imagined.
But there’s a problem.
“It’s more money than I expected because I did not expect this type of turnout from our community,” said Bargeron.
She says the local postmaster told her the flat-rate boxes they offer were not large enough, so she would have to pay the per-pound price for shipping. With each box weighing approximately 25 pounds, they fear it could mean more than $100 a box.
"We need the help of the entire community,” said Bargeron.
A little holiday help for those overseas helping us every day.
"I hope they know that people in North Florida are caring, and praying, and supporting, loving, and thinking of them on Christmas Day,” said Tapley.
They are hoping to be able to send the packages by Wednesday so they get there on time.
Action News reached out to the U.S. Postal Service for comment Monday evening and we are still waiting to hear back.
To help Bargeron’s foundation, Mothers of America’s Military Fallen, pay for the postage, go to
http://mothersofamf.com/donate/.
