Armed Forces Foundation Rekindles Christmas Spirit in Children of Deployed Troops

Through the Armed Forces Foundation’s “Families Serve Too” initiative, tens of thousands of toys have been collected at 1,700 Aaron’s locations nationwide.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For military children across the nation, the approaching holiday season does not arrive with “visions of sugarplums” or “boughs of holly” as many of their parents are not here to share it with them.

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As a tribute to these courageous families, The Armed Forces Foundation partnered with Aaron’s Inc., to launch their largest national Annual Holiday Toy Drive, aimed to get toys into the hands of military children this holiday season. Nearly 1,700 Aaron’s locations collected tens of thousands of toys for children on 220 military installations in all 50 states.

The Armed Forces Foundation and Aaron’s are concluding their toy drive with celebrations on bases that are feeling the effects of deployments especially hard this Christmas: Fort Benning, GA and Fort Hood, TX. The parties will host over 500 children in an after school celebration. Both Santa Claus and Aaron’s mascot, “Lucky Dog” will be on-hand distributing gifts that were donated by their local communities at Aaron’s retail locations. Every child at the event will receive a toy and will participate in activities, such as ornament making and pictures with Santa.

“This time of the year, many people want to send care packages to the troops, but often times families at home are forgotten,” says Patricia Driscoll, President and Executive Director of the Armed Forces Foundation. “This is a time to give back to the families when they need it most.” Considering the difficult times many Americans are facing today, the success of the toy drive is indicative of our country’s undying support for its warriors.

From Fort Benning, SGT Brian Linebacker and his family spoke about the hardships faced by military families year round, not just at Christmas time. “I have had a couple deployments to Iraq, and it has been trying, but rewarding at the same time as I get to serve my country. I have a family that supports me and is understanding of the sacrifice that we all have to make.” While there is a heightened sense of absence during the holidays, families like the Linebackers live with loved ones overseas for years at a time. This daily sacrifice highlights the awareness campaign of the Armed Forces Foundation, “Families Serve Too.”

While this toy drive was administered by the Armed Forces Foundation and Aaron’s, it would not have been possible without the support of Chaplains, Family Readiness Groups, and Moral, Welfare, and Recreation Departments on bases nationwide. Volunteers from these base organizations and managers of individual Aaron’s stores donated their personal time to bring joy to military children this holiday season.

The Armed Forces Foundation is a national 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to providing emergency relief for our wounded warriors, active-duty, retired personnel, and their families. The Armed Forces Foundation considers it a duty, honor, and privilege to serve the needs of those that have bravely served our country. Through direct financial aid and emotional support the Armed Forces Foundation’s proud dedication to our troops helps them get back on their feet and care for their loved ones at home. 94 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the Armed Forces Foundation programs benefitting our nation’s warriors and their families.

For more information on our programs or to make a donation, please visit www.armedforcesfoundation.org.

SOURCE Armed Forces Foundation