Two Fort Lee Soldiers pick up toys for their children during the 2013 Holiday Helper shopping days, Dec. 11-12. Holiday Helper is an annual program that offers lower ranking service members an opportunity to shop for holiday toys for their children, ...

FORT LEE, Va. (Dec. 18, 2013) -- Smiles abound during the holiday season. It is a time when little ones anticipate the thrill of new gifts and families welcome close friends, cherished relatives and grown children who are returning home. There is comfort in long-practiced holiday traditions and the opportunities to spend quality time with loved ones. It is truly a season of joy.

The holidays are also a time of small miracles. I volunteer at the Holiday Helper toy store on Fort Lee every year. On Dec. 12, I found myself sitting beside a young Soldier who, like me, was there to help others. Her name was Staff Sgt. Dawn Almaraz and she is a member of Kenner Army Health Clinic's Medical Department Activity.

Her smiles were radiant and she appeared cheerful and happy. She was welcoming our military members into the toy store, inviting them to help themselves to the spread of food and to select children's books for the taking while they wait. By all appearances, she was a kind and energetic person with a spice for life.

It wasn't long before our conversation turned to Holiday Helper. She smiled and said, "This place is amazing." Her smile then began to dissipate and it wasn't long before her eyes teared up. She said, "I've been going through a hard time lately. I've wondered, how am I going to feed my kids?" This young mother of two said, "I try so hard. I know I'll be OK but right now, it's hard. I bought two small toys for my children and that's all they were going to get for Christmas."

A smile began to emerge again as she stated, "When I came to the Holiday Helper toy store yesterday, I could not believe what I saw. I was told I could pick three toys for each of my children."

Almarez then said something that will stay with me forever. She said she only wanted two toys so she didn't take away from another.

We continued our chat. "It's hard for me to put into words how this experience has made me feel," she said. "I am so appreciative, so humbled and so grateful."

Before leaving Holiday Helper with her toys, she told me that she would be back to volunteer.

This young Soldier and mother of two was thinking of others at a time when it would have been easy to put all of the focus on herself. One couldn't help but think what a wonderful role model she must be to her children.

Almarez reminded me that while we may see a smile on someone's face, we really don't know all that's going on. This young Soldier has reminded me why programs like Holiday Helper are crucial, especially during this time of the year.

She wears the uniform of an American Soldier and gives so much in service to our country, protecting the freedoms of us all. A small token of a few toys for her children during a critical time in her life has meant so much to her. What a small price to pay to give this Soldier peace of mind, knowing that her children will have a wonderful holiday. I've been touched and inspired by this young American Soldier and for that, I am grateful.