FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The Operation Homefront program "Holiday House" is in full swing this giving season as they prepare to help Fort Campbell Families celebrate the holidays. This program provides help to military service members E-6 and below and their Families by providing toys to those in need.
The number of registered Families increased from last year, and Holiday House volunteers busily prepare to help more than 700 Families and 1,700 children continuing through Dec. 12.
"Last year, we only had online registration, but bringing back command referrals this year really built our numbers back up," said Val Amadon, Operation Homefront director of programs for Tennessee and Kentucky. "There also seems to be a greater need in the community this year."
According to Amadon, to initially be eligible, a service member had to be nominated through command referral, "and then we opened up the online registration, and it is also open to Wounded Warrior Families, no matter their rank."
Through registration, service members answer questions about their Family and then are given an appointment time to visit Holiday House. "They are greeted at the door and they are assigned an elf, which is a volunteer, who takes them to each of the rooms where they have a child listed so they can pick out a gift," said Amadon. "They also get to pick out a book for each child and each Family receives a game as well as five items for stocking stuffers per child."
Amadon said there have been some generous donations, "some of the toys are really amazing."
Holiday House is still accepting donations, which can be dropped off at 7104 Hedgerow Court on Fort Campbell near Gate 7, as well as the angel tree drop off point at the Post Exchange. Also, the program is accepting monetary donations, which can be mailed, made online at operationhomefront.net, or dropped off in person.
"We still need toys, games and books," Amadon said. "We hope our community will step up and help as much as possible in support of our military Families."
Volunteers are also still needed as more Families will be visiting Holiday House this year. Amadon said those who want to donate their time can visit the operationhomefront.net website and select the "Get Involved" tab.
"This will allow them to start their initial paperwork for volunteering and then they can give us a call here," Amadon said. "Volunteers are needed to help greet people at the door, stock shelves and to serve as guides for those who visit Holiday House this season. If they are interested in helping, we can find a job for them."
Although the gifts are safely placed in concealing bags so as not to ruin any surprises, Amadon said, "As a reminder, parents need to come shopping without their children as no children are allowed in the building. We have many Families coming through this year, so it will be hectic."
For more information about volunteering, call Sara Vance, Operation Homefront volunteer coordinator at (270) 412-9104.
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