'Tis the Season for Rail Gunners

By Spc. Dalinda Salazar, 41st Fires Bde. PAODecember 8, 2010

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FORT HOOD, Texas-The Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, help load toys donated to the Exceptional Family Member Program toy drive, Dec. 1. The EFMP toy drive contributions are given to children in the...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas-The Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, help load toys donated to the Exceptional Family Member Program toy drive, Dec. 1. The EFMP toy drive contributions are given to children in the orga... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT HOOD, Texas-Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Brinton, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, receives an award for participating in the Exceptional Family Member Program toy drive, Dec. 1. This was the second annual EFMP toy...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas-Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Brinton, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, receives an award for participating in the Exceptional Family Member Program toy drive, Dec. 1. This was the second annual EFMP toy dri... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas-The Soldiers throughout the 41st Fires Brigade dug deep into their hearts and pockets to donate toys for the children in the Fort Hood Exceptional Family Member Program during the annual toy drive, Dec. 3.

This is the second annual EFMP toy drive supported by the 41st Fires Bde. and hundreds of new toys for children of various ages were donated in support of the program.

"We are thankful for the 41st Fires participation," said Mrs. Stephania Williams, a social service representative for EFMP. "The 41st Fires Bde. has donated more than 200 toys this year and our kids will be very grateful for their contributions. For some of the children, these toys will be the only toys they receive for Christmas."

Sgt. Leandra Sotello, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, from Las Banos, Calif. donated to help other families.

"I think the kids will be happy and feel special because some do not receive gifts because of medical costs," said Sotello. "It feels good to help other families in the Army."

The 41st Fires Bde. received help by corporate sponsors who donated toys to assist the program and increase the contribution size.

"$700 worth of toys were also donated from AUSA Corporation, our corporate sponsors," said Maj. Michael Smith, battalion executive officer for the 1st Battalion, 21th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde., and a native of Chicago. "During the season of giving, we hope we have fulfilled a child's Christmas wish."

The Christmas season is a time for giving and thanks to generous donations, the families in the EFMP program will hopefully have a reason to smile on Christmas morning.