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    Community gives thanks to Marines, sailors during Thanksgiving

    Community gives thanks to Marines, sailors during Thanksgiving

    Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group load boxes of Thanksgiving meals onto a truck...... read more read more

    FALLBROOK, CA, UNITED STATES

    11.22.2011

    Story by Cpl. Khoa Pelczar 

    1st Marine Logistics Group

    FALLBROOK, Calif. – In the holiday spirit of Thanksgiving, Albertsons Grocery Store, located outside Camp Pendleton’s Fallbrook gate, donated more than $10,000 worth of turkey dinner meals to Camp Pendleton Marines and sailors, Nov. 22, in support of Operation Homefront Southern California.

    Nearly 200 of the Thanksgiving meals were later distributed to Marines and sailors of 1st Marine Logistics Group, said Christine Winicki, family readiness officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 5. Out of those meals, 100 meals went to CLB-5, 67 went to 1st Maintenance Battalion and 25 meals went to Combat Logistics Regiment 1.

    Formed in February of 2002, Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization, developed to support the families of deployed service members immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, according to the organization. In 2010, the organization met 167,348 needs for military families – including active duty and reserved service members from all branches of service. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided more than $92 million of funding to programs to benefit military families.

    For the second year running, Albertsons Grocery Store showed its support to the troops by participating in Operation Homefront and earning a total of more than $25,000 in donations to provide service members with Thanksgiving meals for the holidays.

    Out of 248 stores participating in the operation in Southern California region, Fallbrook’s store ranks third in most donations collected, said Kirk Sandow, store director.

    Since many of Fallbrook’s residents are active service members and retired military families, the town was eager to support the men and women in the armed forces, Sandow said.

    “There’s something about this little town,” said Sandow. “Everybody in this town gives a lot. They care about everything that goes on in the town. Anything we do for our troops, the town supports it all the way.”

    Whether they gave a little or a lot, everyone in town made sure they contributed to the cause, said Cris Flores, store cashier, who raised about 25 percent of the total donations this year.

    “Everyone here is so friendly,” said Flores. “Everyone here is related to the military somehow so you can see the respect they have for each other.”

    Sandow said he is glad to be a part of this community and to be able to contribute to the operation.

    “This is such a wonderful program and I’m glad the town is supporting us,” said Sandow. “It’s our way of giving back and we’re glad that we can help.”

    With the help of communities and programs like these, Marines, sailors and their families in Southern California can enjoy homemade Thanksgiving meals for free, said Winicki.

    “The Marines and sailors were so excited when they saw the boxes. They especially loved the pies,” said Winicki. “This has to be one of the best programs that the community provides to Marines and sailors. It is an amazing show of support, especially since it covers the entire Southern California region.”

    Sandow said the store will continue to support the operation next year to give back to Marines, sailors and their families for their sacrifices.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.22.2011
    Date Posted: 11.30.2011 13:25
    Story ID: 80720
    Location: FALLBROOK, CA, US

    Web Views: 28
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN