Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tomora Nance | Soldiers and their families walk together on their way to Santa’s Workshop on Fort...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – The rain didn’t stop Soldiers, Families and even pets from coming together for a good cause and spreading holiday cheer to those in need.
More than 150 people from two brigades, gathered at Clarke Elementary School to participate in a one-mile ruck march to donate toys for the Fort Hood Santa’s Workshop Nov. 5. The two brigades who participated in the 3rd annual Santa’s Ruck March were the Field Artillery Squadron “Steel,” 3rd Cavalry Regiment and Division Artillery “DIVARTY,” 1st Cavalry Division.
“Despite the inclement weather and over a third of the squadron deployed to Afghanistan, we had a great turn out of participants of Soldiers and their families from Steel,” said Maj. Russell Cummings, the executive officer for Steel. “This is a wonderful community outreach program that we had the opportunity to participate in.”
Several rucksacks were stuffed to capacity with toys ranging from balls and bikes to zebra stuffed animals.
“In the season of giving, this is just one way we can give back and do our part to help take care of our Army family,” said Col. Kelly L. Webster, the commander of DIVARTY.
During the ruck march while the dogs barked and children laughed, adults sang along to the Christmas music. Not only were the people conducting the ruck in the holiday spirit, the military police officers escorting the participants were in the holiday spirit as well as they played Christmas music from their vehicles.
“I think [the military police] just decided to play the music on their own, and it worked well with the festive spirit that we had on the march,” said Webster.
The formation of participants slowly made their way to the final destination beside the Clear Creek Commissary. Rucksacks, backpacks, and bags were emptied onto a long row of tables in the middle of a large, Christmas decorated room.
Both Webster and Cummings delivered several toys along with their families.
“I’m happy to be apart the Santa Workshop,” said Heather Hay, a 1st Army Representative with Fort Hood’s Santa Workshop. “All of the toys donated by the Soldiers and their families really plays a vital role in what we do to give back to those in need.”
Fort Hood Santa’s Workshop provides toys for children of service members who are in financial need, and last year the workshop helped over 3,000 children between the ages of six months to 12 years old.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2016 14:05 |
| Story ID: | 214366 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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