FORT RILEY, Kan. - Christmas carols rang out across the Clamshell as Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers and their family members came together for a night of Christmas celebration Dec. 18. The annual two-day event, Project North Pole, featured a holiday party for the WTB families one evening and for other families the following night.
"There's nothing better than to see the Soldiers and their families all together," said Sally Sowell, Soldier and Family Assistance Center director. "We very seldom get to see that. To be able to come together for an event like this is just wonderful."
The biggest hit for the kids was getting to see Santa Claus. The line to see him on the stage was always long even though staff kept the line continually moving as children took turns to sit on his lap and tell him their Christmas wishes. Each child received a new present from Santa and his elves. The gifts were donated by the Kansas American Legion Riders chapter.
"We get to expose them to the American Legion and that we're a family … and we're taking care of the family and that's what we do," said Don Behrens, American Legion Riders chairman. "And the kids need their Christmas. We've got brand new toys for 1,500 kids."
Many Soldiers and their families took the opportunity to stop and eat dinner and snacks between seeing Santa, playing games and face painting. Children left with holly and other Christmas themed paintings on their cheeks.
"It's a really great opportunity, especially for the kids who don't have much," said Kimberly Purkeypyle, a medical support assistant at Irwin Army Community Hospital. "It's a great way to get the community together."
In addition to everything staff offered, children under 12 also received a bear from Build-a-Bear.
As Sowell found, they had so much at their event for the WTB Soldiers and their families and that other programs needed help getting a Christmas party going, they offered to open up the event again the next day for families who participate in the programs that fell under the Army Community Services.
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