HONOLULU, HAWAII - Santa Claus will bring lots of toys and gifts for girls and boys at Operation Homefront of Hawaii’s Holiday Military Family Event at Oahu Veterans Center on Saturday, December 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is morale program that is free to military families in need of holiday cheer.
A Hawaii National Guard Platoon Sergeant currently deployed to Kuwait running missions into Iraq writes,” I am constantly moving around to different locations in Iraq and I am afraid I may not have a chance to really send my daughter a nice Christmas present this year. I love my daughter very much…I wish I can be there for her these holidays but I can’t.”
His daughter, four-year old Jenesis and her mom, an Army soldier from Schofield Barracks look forward to the Holiday Military Family Event. About 450-500 Wounded Warriors and their families, as well as active duty, activated Reserves, National Guards, and dependents of deployed troops are expected at this all-day holiday family event.
Event sponsors are Actus Lend Lease, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Menehune Water Company, Pepsi Cola, SunnyDay Subs, and Airgas. Diamond Head Self Storage provided free facilities for all in-coming gift donations for the event.
Airgas will raffle off Gift Certificates and provide helium for the children’s balloons. Radford High School students will do face painting for kids; the Seniors Division- Department of Parks and Recreation will spearhead craft-making activities and Christmas tree decorating. There will be salsa and line dancing in the afternoon, with musical entertainment by the NNG, a group of retired war veterans.
Operation Homefront of Hawaii will give away hundreds of holiday gift items for adults and children. Through its national affiliations with K.I.D.S. and Bratz, there will be brand new children’s shoes and an assortment of toys. Moms will be treated to a complete line of bath, shampoo and other pampering items, with UH football shirts and caps for men. There will also be lots of door and raffle prizes consisting of food, coffee, and canned goods. The Oahu Veterans Center at 1298 Kukila St. will provide venue for the Holiday Military Family Event on Saturday, Dec. 13. For additional information, call 469-7427 hawaii@operationhomefront.net
Eva Laird Smith is with hawaii@operationhomefront.net
