FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Dec. 17, 2015) -- Soldiers of the NCO Academy banded together in the spirit of giving to provide a merry Christmas to families on post.
Fort Rucker Sgt. Audie Murphy Club Soldiers did their part to try and make sure that no military child went wanting this Christmas with their annual Operation Santa at the NCO Academy Dec. 12.
Soldiers collected gifts, baked cookies, provided stockings and stocking stuffers, and created an atmosphere where children and parents could get into the Christmas spirit.
"We try to help the military community by helping to (alleviate) some of the financial burdens during the holiday season, and we do that by providing toys for the children of military families for Christmas," said Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Churchill, NCO Academy.
The SAMC switched things up a bit this year with Operation Santa. In the past, toys were collected and donated at random to give to children during the annual event. Children would come in and choose a toy, but this year, Soldiers wanted to add a more personal touch with their gift giving.
Children were able to make a wish list of what kind of toy they would like from Santa and Soldiers were able to provide that specific toy for the children.
"This way, children were able to get what they wanted, as well as able to pick two stocking stuffers, enjoy some cookies and decorate their own stocking," said Churchill.
For Staff Sgt. Vergia Farrow, C Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, and her husband, Justin, it was something that was very much appreciated, not only by them, but their son, Bran, as well.
"I think things like this are really phenomenal," said Justin. "I like the atmosphere that they've provided here with the way it's set up, and how the kids can go through and get into to the holiday feel by creating stockings with Santa off in the corner for the kids to go to.
"My son just kept going back and forth showing Santa everything. I just thought that was really cool," he said. "(Things like Operation Santa) make you feel a little bit more connected to the Army."
Creating and maintaining that connection is an important part of the program, as well as the Army, but for Churchill, it's more about giving back and putting smiles on people's faces.
"We just want to help families on post who might be in a bit of financial need, and if we could help the whole post we would," she said. "And although the toys are for the children, it's really for the parents, too. It really brings smiles to parents' faces when they're able to get these toys for the children.
"This also makes me feel great because, personally, I've always wanted to help people," said Churchill, who one day hopes to be a social worker. "Doing something like this really brings a smile to my face. I don't want people to think it's charity, because it's not. It's really to be able to help those who need it. If we could provide toys for everyone, we would, but there are families on post who need it more than others.
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