Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s Religious Ministry Department is hoping this holiday season will be a season of giving.

BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

11.18.2016

Story by Andrew Damstedt 

Naval Support Activity Bethesda

Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s Religious Ministry Department is hoping this holiday season will be a season of giving.

They’ve coordinated two ways for people to give back, including a Wishing Tree and a winter coat drive.

“The season of giving is important to spread good will and to let people know that somebody cares about them,” said NSAB Chaplain Christilene Whalen.

The Wishing Tree is a way for people to provide presents for children of enlisted service members and junior officers.

“We want to bring joy to the military children here and thank them for their service,” Whalen said.

People can find and take an ornament on a Wishing Tree in the Navy Exchange or in Building 17 or by contacting the NSAB Chaplain’s Office. The ornaments will have the age, gender and clothing size of the military child as well as some gifts the child hopes to receive this Christmas. The ornaments will have another section where a person writes down their name and phone number and leaves it in a box next to the tree so the NSAB Chaplain’s Office knows which ornaments have been taken.

“The donors are very generous; last year we had had 103 children, this year we have 120 children sign up,” Whalen said. “Generally, most kids get two to three gifts a piece. The donors don’t go and get dollar store [merchandise], they give them usable clothes, relevant toys. They really go out of their way to make the children happy.”

Last year, 300 gifts were donated. Whalen said they expect to collect that amount, if not more, this year.

Presents need to be delivered to the Navy Exchange or NSAB Chaplain’s Office by close of business Dec. 1. The gifts are scheduled to be handed out at a Prayer Breakfast Dec. 8 at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Bethesda.

The chaplain’s office is also sponsoring a winter coat drive that goes until Jan. 31.

There are boxes where people can donate new or gently used coats, gloves, hats, scarves, socks, etc. The collection boxes are set up in Building 17 and 27, at the Navy Exchange, outside the Uniform Shop, near the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office in Building 2 in and on the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences campus.

For more information, call the NSAB Chaplain Office at 301-319-5058.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2016
• Date Posted: 11.18.2016 10:19
• Story ID: 215121
• Location: BETHESDA, MD, US