Fort Knox, Kentucky -- Eight Soldiers from Fourth Cavalry Multi-Functional Training Brigade volunteered at Santa's Workshop here, April 19. The mission of Santa's Workshop is to provide toys for military families who are financially challenged during the holiday season.
While financially challenged military families visit just before Christmas for presents for their children, the volunteer work continues year-round, barely even slowing down after Christmas.
"About a week after Christmas was over, we started getting calls from all over Louisville, saying 'we've got toys here, but we don't have anyone to give them to,'" said Jennifer Brink, a Santa's Workshop volunteer. "So we would drive down, pick them up, and bring them back. I think my kids and I went every day through one week of Christmas break."
Fourth Cav. Soldiers moved desks, chairs and shelves to help Santa's Workshop make better use of its' limited space. "The rooms across the way aren't ours. Garrison needs that space back, so the soldiers moved the furniture out of two rooms so that we could make room to store toys," Brink said. "Without the soldiers coming here to do that for us, it would take us three months."
"Santa's Workshop on Fort Knox is under the umbrella of the Red Cross," said Brink. "It helps soldiers' families if they have at least one child, and qualify financially." Last Christmas Santa's Workshop helped more than 300 Fort Knox families, up from more than 230 in 2013.
"Soldiers helping the Red Cross and the Red Cross helping Soldiers in need," said Master Sgt. David Henderson, an observer coach/trainer with 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 410th Regiment, 4th Cav. MFTB." Therefore it's Soldiers helping Soldiers. That's what it's all about."
Santa's Workshop made a good impression on another Soldier, 1st Logistics Support Battalion, 411th Regiment, 4th Cav MFTB Battalion S4, Sgt.1st Class Ashanti Beene. "When I opened the door, it looked like something you'd see at the North Pole. I didn't know the kind of operation they had here, or the amount of behind the scenes work the volunteers do," Beene said. It makes you even more proud to wear this uniform. While we're out here serving, there is a lot of support and people that have our back if we have a hard time."
Beene also brought her eight-year-old daughter Sydnei along to help out. "I explained to her that we're preparing in April for December, to help families at Christmas," Beene said. "She's really excited to help out."
"I think it's really important for kids to see people helping other people," Brink said. "Giving back helps to foster that idea of doing for others."
Brink says she also previously volunteered at the Santa's Workshop at Fort Hood, Texas. "We got here just after last Christmas. Somebody from there recognized me, and next thing you know I'm here working."
Applications are available starting Sep. 1 at the Fort Knox Red Cross Building, at 1131 5th Avenue, and must be signed by a unit commander, chaplain, or Red Cross volunteer. They are due Nov. 1. Those wishing to participate in the Holiday Assistance Programs can apply by contacting their unit's first sergeant, commander, or chaplain.
Approved applicants may shop during the second week of December.
Those wishing to donate may bring new unwrapped toys to the Red Cross building year-round.
For more information on Fort Knox American Red Cross Programs, call (502) 624-2163.
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