USSOUTHCOM brightens the holidays for kids and troops

By U.S. Southern CommandDecember 14, 2006

USSOUTHCOM brightens the holidays for kids and troops
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has partnered with the Hearing Research Institute, Inc. to deliver toys to Jackson Memorial Hospital on December 17th. Brigadier General Richard Ellis, the Director of Intelligence at SOUTHCOM, will also be leading both groups on a visit with patients at the Miami Veterans Affairs hospital that day.

"The holiday season is the time of giving, and this means giving back to the community," stated Brigadier General Ellis, "and that's why we're doing what we can for both the Miami community, as well as our own servicemembers."

Earlier this month, SOUTHCOM started an "Angel Tree" program, collecting over 100 gifts from SOUTHCOM members which they'll give to children at Carol City Elementary on December 21st.

SOUTHCOM was also on the receiving end of generosity this holiday season. Children from 23 schools in the Broward County School District made thousands of holiday cards for military members from Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo in Cuba and JTF Bravo in Honduras. The children presented the cards to SOUTHCOM personnel during a special holiday event December 3rd.

Reaching out to troops far away from home, SOUTHCOM teamed up with the American Red Cross earlier this month to deliver holiday stockings and cards. Express transportation company DHL was able to assist in the effort by transporting the stockings and Christmas cards December 6th to troops working in Honduras.

Hemisphere National Bank and SOUTHCOM joined forces in November to distribute 37 turkeys to lower-ranking enlisted troops for the Thanksgiving holiday.

This season's holiday activities are prime examples of the successful partnerships between SOUTHCOM, non-governmental agencies and civilian enterprises - all coming together to make sure local children and forces far from home have a happier holiday season.