Parkesburg author Leslee Kahler’s short story “A Christmas Miracle” is included in the recently published Chicken Soup for the Soul: Time for Christmas.

The publication of the book is the latest in a collection of holiday stories that draw their inspiration from personal stories that involve Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s, compiled from its vast library. 

“Christmas Miracle” recounts the story of Kahler’s father, who served as a gunner and co-pilot during World War II. On a mission to drop anti-Hitler leaflets over Germany, his plane was hit by antiaircraft that resulted in an emergency landing. After two days of navigating through enemy territory, the badly injured contingent decided that in order to survive, they would have to surrender as POWs. 

Soon, they came upon a German patrol, but after Kahler’s father ordered his fellow troops to surrender, the German patrol simultaneously attempted to do the same. Together, the collected soldiers found themselves 100 miles from the border of Switzerland with no food and medicine, when they devised a plan that helped to save their lives and lead to lifelong friendships.

Kahler received both her B.S. and her B.A. from Eastern University, and her master’s degree from Villanova University. She lives on a small farm with her family and eight rescue cats.

This latest installation is one of several current bestsellers from Chicken Soup for the Soul earmarked to raise funds for nonprofits. Royalties from this book will be given to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, which creates miracles for millions of families by providing holiday gifts to children in need in the U.S.

Since 1993, Chicken Soup for the Soul has been a socially conscious company that combines storytelling with making the world a better place, publishing stories by people of all faiths, nationalities, ethnicities, sexual orientation and gender identities. Included among the company’s many  platforms are books, TV, movies and video programming; podcasting; positive journalism; and pet food.
To learn more, visit. www.chickensoup.com.