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U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern has found a way during the holidays to thank Soldiers and their families for their service throughout the year. This is possible because of community involvement in the Army Community Service’s Toy Outreach Program and Chaplain’s Office Operation Helping Hands.
Both programs show the garrison’s support to Soldiers and their families, and is in direct line with the Army Family Covenant in improving their quality of life, said Selinda Torbert, the garrison’s ACS outreach coordinator who is organizing this year’s toy outreach program.
“It’s important that we support the whole family in the KMC because we are a community, and we all need to support each other during the holiday season,” Ms. Torbert said.
The garrison’s toy outreach program – sometimes referred to as the ACS Holiday Toy Drive – counts on the KMC to donate money or new toys for nominated children ages infant to 11.
A $15 Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift certificate or a movie card is recommended for children ages 12 to 18.
“This program makes it possible for a child in a family that may have fallen upon a
difficult time to have something under the tree for Christmas,” Ms. Torbert said.
Toy-collection boxes will remain at
high-traffic areas until Tuesday. These areas are the Vogelweh PowerZone and Base Exchange, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s headquarters, Panzer Kaserne, and the garrison’s headquarters, Bldg. 2933, and ACS, Bldg. 2891, on Pulaski Barracks.
Last year, 493 children from 328 Army families received 1,479 toys, Ms. Torbert said.
And so far, about 600 children from more than 300 families have been referred to the program.
“My kids always look forward to (the toy drive) because they know they are going to get this additional toy from the community,” said Sgt. Gladys Crum, who was shopping through the donated toys for her five children in 2004.
Pfc. Terry Barker moved with his family from northern Michigan to the KMC right before the holidays in 2004. He had three children, all under the age of 10.
“Just getting over here has been kind of hard, we spent all the money we had to move here, and this really helps out, especially during Christmas,” Mr. Barker said while looking for toys.
Distribution to the nominated families will be done by unit appointment Wednesday and Thursday at the Kaiserslautern-Landstuhl Spouses’ Association Office, Bldg. 2923 on Pulaski Barracks. A make-up day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the KLSA Office.
While toys are being distributed, these nominated families will also be receiving commissary food vouchers for Christmas dinner from Operation Helping Hands, sponsored by the garrison Chaplain’s Office.
“Operation Helping Hands is a program that ‘cares for its own,’ because it would not be possible without contributions received from the community,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Vinson, the garrison’s religious support operations NCOIC who is assisting with this year’s program.
The funding comes from donations from individuals and private organizations, and designated offerings are held twice a year at the garrison’s five congregations.
Last year, the program gave 350 vouchers, and this year, it is anticipated that more than 400 vouchers will be given to families of junior enlisted Soldiers in the community, Mr. Vinson said.
For more information about toy outreach, call Galloway at 493-4151. For information about Operation Helping Hands, call the garrison Chaplain’s Office at 493-4220.
