Home Non-Profit Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree Launch Annual Holiday Toy Drive

Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree Launch Annual Holiday Toy Drive

by ECT

operation homefront

With Veteran’s day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to support those who have done so much for our country.

This year marks the 7th annual joint campaign led by Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree to support military families during the holiday season.

Operation Homefront is a national non-profit organization that provides emergency support and assistance to military families and wounded warriors.  The organization has led more than 4,500 volunteers nationwide in providing assistance to over 750,000 military families since its inception in 2002.

The toy drive begins today, November 1st, and runs through December 6th.  The toy drive “helps our men and women in uniform provide for their families in these tough economic times,” said Jim Knotts, President & CEO of Operation Homefront.

After December 6th, toys are collected and distributed to children of service members.  Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit a local Dollar Tree store and either bring toys to their collection box, or buy toys at the store.

Monetary donations can be made online at: www.OperationHomefront.net

“For service members with kids, especially in the lower- and mid-grade ranks, holiday shopping is a major expense that can have a big impact on the family budget,’ said Knotts. “Helping them make their children feel extra special during this festive time is an important aspect of the assistance we provide to military families.”

In 2012, Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive collected over 9 million toys nationwide for military kids.

Facts regarding the war show why this support is necessary.

It’s been over ten years since the United States went to war in Iraq and the number of American’s killed is astounding.  Nearly 4,500 Americans have been killed in Iraq and over 6,600 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan.

Deaths are not the only toll that war imparts upon service members and their families.  According to Department of Defense data, since 2003, 2.5 million service members have been deployed in the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. Of those, more than a third have been deployed more than once. Holidays are not easy when your mother, father, son or daughter is in the middle of a war, thousands of miles away, in a dusty and deadly country.

The figures get worse.  According to Department of Defense data, nearly 37,000 Americans have been deployed more than five times, including member of the guard or Reserve units.  Data shows that 400,000 service members have completed three or more deployments.

The standard deployment  time was 12 months, but stretched to 15 months in 2008, and occasionally has stretched to 18 months.  Deployments are followed with 24 months at home, after which service members can be deployed again to Iraq, Afghanistan or other locations.

Time away from family takes a heavy toll and makes the holiday season difficult.  This is why Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree support military families.

If you’d like to show your support for those who give so much to our country visit a local Dollar Tree.

Dollar Trees are located at:
3305 Deer Valley Rd., Antioch
2710 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch
51 W. Sand Creek Rd., Brentwood

amy schrader

By Amy Schrader
Arts & Entertainment Editor
[email protected]

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