FOX44NOW.COM - Burlington/Plattsburgh News, Weather and SportsSmall Vermont Community Helps Bring Troops Home for Holidays

Small Vermont Community Helps Bring Troops Home for Holidays

Spend some time inside the Peacham Elementary School and you'll notice a unique display.  It's a display from the heart, created for Vermont National Guard Members, born out of a crazy idea.

"It's too bad we can't get everybody home for Christmas," said organizer Lori Craig.

It turns out the hundreds of Vermont National Guard members training in Indiana, on their way to serve in Afghanistan, have eight days off around Christmas.

Lori Craigs' family is included in that group.  But the problem is the Guard won't pay for the troops to come home.

School kids have created tree pins  to help raise $200,000 needed to bring 700 Guard members home by bus.

"It's the holidays; it's Christmas, you just want to be home," said Craig.

The kids have eagerly embraced Operation Holiday Homecoming.

"I think they feel this is something they can contribute to," said teacher Janice Brisco.

So have people across the state, donating about $150,000 in just two months.

Lori Craig says her commitment to bringing people home for the holidays goes beyond the four people she's preparing to be without for a year, and extends to the hundreds of families who will hopefully have one less thing to worry about.

"I want them to relax, and enjoy their family, and not have to worry about anything financial," said Craig.

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