PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – A total of 14,703 unique wood pens are waiting to be distributed to active duty and recovering members of the US military, thanks to the efforts of Woodcraft Turn for Troop's volunteer pen turners who exceeded the 2020 pen total by 697 pens. The overall 18-year total is now 219,970 pens.

“We are once again thrilled with the results of the 2021 Turn for Troops program,” said Jack Bigger, Woodcraft president, and CEO. “Congratulations to Woodcraft stores and volunteers who turned the fourth-highest number of pens since Woodcraft launched the program for military men and women in 2004.”

Turn for Troops volunteers range in age from children to senior citizens. Young turners this year included Adele Tatten, 10, who turned in her first pen at Woodcraft in Woburn, Massachusetts, with instruction from her grandfather, John Santoro, a Woodcraft store employee. The fifth-grader has been watching and helping “Papa” John in his workshop since she was a toddler.

Woodcraft corporate office personnel check periodically with their contacts around the globe for assistance in identifying military personnel to receive these unique thank-you gifts. Stores also receive requests, and sometimes a service member or a family member will contact Woodcraft asking about pens. 

To request that pens be sent to active duty or recovering military members, contact Lori Harper in the Woodcraft corporate office: (304) 865-4107 or [email protected].