Students at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic School in North Wales played Santa this week for U.S. soldiers who are serving all over the world this holiday season, writes Jasmine Payoute and Andi Korff for CBS News Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, CBS News visited with the kindergarteners at the school who were wearing Bishop hats for Saint Nicholas’ feast day while they worked hard stuffing stockings.

They stuffed the stockings with snacks and self-care items collected by Project Peace.

Anita Fleming, a teacher at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, said they wanted to send the troops a little taste of home.

“We wanted them to know that we appreciate all the freedoms we have in this country,” she said.

The stocking project initially started small 10 years ago and grows each year as more grades participate and they have returning soldiers on their list.

Fleming said that the response from the soldiers has been wonderful.

“They write individual letters to the students, they have done Zooms with us from overseas, and it makes that personal connection,” she said.

Read more about the visit to Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic School in North Wales at CBS News Philadelphia.

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