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Community Touched By Soldier's Simple Request For Socks

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)-- A simple request from a marine in Afghanistan has created an outpouring of support from one community in Woodbury.

Corporal Joshua Hanson's holiday wish for socks reminded the people at the Pack & Mail in Woodbury that sometimes we take for granted the little things that can make a difference in the lives of our troops.

The Pack & Mail is a busy place this time of year with people sending out gifts and cards to loved ones.

Manager Kathleen Friendt knows every package has a story. One in particular caught her attention.

"It touched our hearts and I said we have to do something here to help out," she said.

The package went to Hanson, a 21-year-old Marine from Woodbury who is serving in Afghanistan.

"They're walking through water and sewage and different things all day long. Their feet are wet all of the time and they're having to throw away their socks every two days because they can't wear them again," said Friendt.

Out of one request, Socks for Soldiers was born.

"Just the thought of them being able to put on warm, dry socks, gave us a good feeling," said Friendt.

The store is collecting sock donations for Hanson and dozens of other troops.

"When we look at our day to day things and how we're shopping for Christmas and people over there are fighting for our cause and asking for something so small," said one man who was making a sock donation. "It really puts life into perspective."

It was an eye opening moment for some and a morale boost for a hometown Marine, serving a long way from home.

"Sometimes there's some downtime when you're deployed and just the little things make the big difference," said another man making a donation. "It also shows that there are people back home are supporting you at a different level and that's pretty awesome."

Pack & Mail in Woodbury will collect socks until the end of the month. All of the sock donations will be shipped off to soldiers and Marines serving in Afghanistan.

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