Editor:
Operation Santa, USMC, began when two Marine moms from Oregon realized that the holiday season would be the hardest time while their sons were away but much harder for their sons who would be gone for their first time during the holidays and in a war.
Operation Santa started out to be Christmas-in-a-box for a platoon of 30 Marines. Within two months it grew to 6,000 Marines receiving packages in the first year.
In 2005, the Marine Corps Family Foundation volunteers sent Christmas-in-a-box to more than 12,000 Marines deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2006, they sent 16,200 packages and 450 filled stockings, which were hand-delivered to the wounded soldiers at Bethesda and Walter Reed hospitals.
For many of these Marines, this was their first Thanksgiving and Christmas away from home and family. It is an unfortunate fact that some of these young men and women will not receive mail and packages from friends and family members. This year, the goal is to send a bit of the holidays to all deployed Marines. Will you help?
In 2006, the Sweet Home area sent stockings and gifts to 142 men in Iraq. Our shipping costs alone were more than $1,200. In 2007, we would like to double the number of troops we adopt. Donations are tax deductible and will help us reach our goal.
If you have any questions, would like to donate or for donation pickups, please contact me at 367-0691 or email me at [email protected]. Donations may be sent to Sidney Marks, 4912 Hwy. 20, Sweet Home, OR 97386.
Sidney Marks
East Linn County Coordinator
Operation Santa, USMC