PARKERSBURG, W. VA. –  Woodcraft is celebrating a milestone – customers and employees have turned over 100,000 wood pens since the Turn for Troops National Turn-a-Thon began 10 years ago. In addition, four Woodcraft stores set records this year for their 10-year pen turning efforts.

“Woodcraft is thrilled with the 10-year pen total – 106,262 – which reflects 11,124 pens turned this year. This event would not be possible without the cooperation of our retail stores, employees and customers,” Jody Garrett, Woodcraft president said. “They all deserve our sincere thanks.”

For their part in reaching the milestone total, four stores set their own records among the more than 70 retail stores. Woodcraft of Nashville, Tennessee, and Woodcraft of Boise, Idaho, have each contributed more than 10,000 pens to the program, while Woodcraft of San Carlos, California, and Woodcraft of Tucson, Arizona, have each provided over 5,000 pens. Woodcraft of Tucson also turned the most pens in 2013 (1,630), its third year as top store.

The Turn for Troops program was established to provide one-of-a-kind wooden pens to American troops for Christmas, but it has grown each year. Many stores now hold turn-a-thons not only around Veterans Day, but at other times throughout the year, so that pens are shipped to service personnel contacts as often as supplies allow. Turners are encouraged to write personal notes to accompany their pens, which are distributed to American service personnel on active duty or in rehabilitation facilities in the US.

Over the years Woodcraft has received many thank-you notes, all expressing sentiments similar to this one from a Marine gunnery sergeant: “As I sit here in the sand of Afghanistan looking at one of the pens crafted in support of the troops, I have an overwhelming sense of support. To think that someone took the time to craft a token of appreciation has really made my day. Thank you!”

For more information about Woodcraft, please contact the store nearest you, visit www.woodcraft.com or call (800) 535-4482 . To learn about Woodcraft franchise opportunities, visit www.woodcraftfranchise.com or email [email protected].

Source: Woodcraft Supply