Ashby Ann Owner Kirsten Vidler-Mackey at the letter writing and coloring station set up in the store. Now through November 28, residents are encouraged to stop by the store and take a few minutes to write a letter or color a picture to send to overseas soldiers as part as Operation Adopt a Soldier. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH ― Downtown Norwich store Ashby Ann is focusing on giving back this holiday season, and is starting off with participation in Operation Adopt a Soldier, an organization that strives to support soldiers stationed worldwide.

Ashby Ann Owner Kirsten Vidler-Mackey has set up a letter writing and coloring station in the shop, where visitors can take a moment to write a letter to an overseas soldier. Children are also welcome to color in a Christmas tree picture to send.

“Some of them might have a little fake tree on their base, but some of them aren't even on a base. So this picture they can hang up and that's their tree this year,” said Vidler-Mackey.

She said students from Gibson and Perry Browne Schools have also joined in, and will be coloring Christmas tree pictures to send overseas.

The station provides paper, pencils, pens, and crayons so visitors have everything they need to write a letter or draw or color a picture. Vidler-Mackey said she'll keep the station up until November 28, so individuals can stop in any time to participate.

Donations for Operation Adopt a Soldier are also being accepted at Ashby Ann. A full list of accepted items can be found at OperationAdoptaSoldier.org/items-needed.

Beginning next week, Ashby Ann will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

“People can come in, you can have a cup of coffee, and sit down and write. It might take ten, 20 minutes out of your day. But that ten to 20 minutes out of your day means the world to that soldier that’s overseas in all this destruction. So it means a lot,” said Vidler-Mackey.

More information on Operation Adopt a Soldier can be found at OperationAdoptaSoldier.org. More information on Ashby Ann can be found on the Ashby Ann Facebook page.