Courtesy
Spc. Kelly Acevedo
FORT POLK, La. — FORT POLK, La. — Tis the season of giving. Fort Polk Families can enjoy the holidays with less stress thanks to Operation Homefront and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers. The duo partnered to gather and distribute gifts. Not having to buy presents for the kiddos is a financial relief for many military Families and is one thing that can happily be marked off the holiday to-do list.
Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization created by three military spouses from San Diego. The organization stemmed from the spouses witnessing the hardships veteran Families faced in the civilian world. They believed they could help many people in the military community and so they did.
“For more than 20 years, we have provided programs that offer: relief through critical financial assistance and transitional housing programs, resiliency through permanent housing and caregiver support services and recurring Family support programs and services throughout the year that help military Families overcome short-term bumps in the road so they don’t become long-term chronic problems,” according to the Operation Homefront website.
Fort Polk’s BOSS president, Cpl. Toymeisha Patterson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison, and her team helped organize the toy drive.
“Myself and Spc. Guyarbenchie Lebrun (BOSS vice president) registered as volunteers to pick up toys from Dollar Trees through Operation Homefront. We partner with them twice a year, for the toy drive and for operation back to school. Last year, approximately 500 kids received toys,” Patterson said.
As far as giving goes, the toy drive is held annually and the public is welcome to donate presents to military Families on the installation.
On the receiving side of things, Soldiers and spouses filled out registration forms at the Home of Heroes Recreation Center in order to receive the presents for their Families.
The donations were handed out Dec. 14-15 at the Directorate of Public Works building 2613.
Military Families give and do so much for the nation. The annual toy drive is one way of showing how much they are truly appreciated.
For more information on Operation Homefront and their mission to help military Families, visit: www.operationhomefront.org/.
For more information about BOSS and its programs call (337) 531-1948/5540.
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