ALZEY, Germany (Dec. 14, 2011) -- Hundreds of Soldiers, family members, and local nationals assembled at the Alzey drop zone here Dec. 8, to watch the second annual Operation Toy Drop, as paratroopers from the U.S. Army and Air Force, the German Bundeswehr and the Italian Army dropped bundles of toys from various U.S. military aircraft during an airborne operation.
OTD, hosted by the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's 5th Quartermaster Detachment, was the culmination of a coordinated effort consisting of collecting donated toys for less fortunate military families and then handing them out during the holiday season.
"Operation Toy Drop was established to give back to junior enlisted Soldiers that cannot afford toys and other items for their children at Christmas time," said 1st Lt. Ulysses Nunez, executive officer with the 5th QM Det. "We collected donations from the 21st TSC and local establishments that wanted to donate."
Once the bundles of toys were on the ground, they were given to the Kaiserslautern Army Community Service who will disperse the toys among the many different organizations within the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
"It is an honor to serve in this operation because our target is to help less fortunate children," said Lt. Fabiano Beduini, an Italian paratrooper and training support officer in charge with the 3rd Italian Division. "To be involved in this operation with other jumpers, both German and American, is something special."
During the jump, a paratrooper dressed as Santa Claus jumped onto the drop zone to not only greet the children who were in attendance, but also to hand out gifts.
"I came to see my husband jump and I brought our kids so that they can receive gifts from Santa," said Spc. Daniella Molinares, a unit supply specialist with the 230th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade.
OTD is an annual event this time of the year and donations are accepted throughout the month of November and the beginning of December.
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