Without notice, Nancy Wilde, age 74, appeared at the doors of the Merrill Area Community Enrichmentt Center pushing her walker, oxygen and boxes filled with cards. These boxes were filled with 1,002 Christmas Cards that Nancy collected from rummage sales, thrift stores and liquidation stores.
“At first we thought she was donating them to our center for volunteers to fill out for our soldiers,” said center director Jane Deau. “But, to our surprise, they were all filled with heartfelt messages in each and every one of them.”
When asked how long it had taken her to fill out all the cards, Nancy replied, “I spread it out away! It took me about three days to do them all. During the pre-season Packers games and listening to the Brewers, I was able to work on them.”
Nancy stated that she does it because of the pride she has for her granddaughter who serves in the Army, currently stationed in Italy, but she had served in Afghanistan twice. “I also had three brothers who were drafted in the Vietnam War and three nephews who enlisted in the Air Force and Army,” she said/ “They are all so special to me.
“This is one thing I can do for them and for others serving,” Nancy added. “I know in my heart that they will be happy to receive a card from us.” Showing emotion when she talks about her family, Nancy has worked on this project since its creation two years ago for the center.
The Merrill Area Community Enrichment Center last year sent out 1,800 cards during Christmas and another 800 cards to local veterans homes for Memorial Day. If you would like to stop in and help us with this project, please do. The center is located in the lower level of Merrill City Hall, 1004 E. First St., Merrill, and can be reached at 715-536-4226.