Collaborating for children's cheer

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Sgt. Brandy Mort

Date: 12.05.2014
Posted: 12.06.2014 00:31
News ID: 149563
Collaborating for children's cheer

LEXINGTON, Ken. - The third annual collaboration for Operation Military Cheer kicked off Dec. 5, 2014 as members of the Home Builders Association of Lexington came together and handed off donated Christmas presents to members of the Kentucky National Guard's Family Assistance Center in Lexington, Ken..

Lead Child and youth Coordinator, Cindy Culver, helps facilitate most family programs throughout the year. Up to this point, she and the rest of the FAC have prepared mostly by collecting information for children and families for the holiday season.

"Today is when we really start kicking off Operation Military Cheer 2014," said Culver, "after we receive the donations, we can get to work on providing gifts for tons of military families."

The HBA filled a box truck with so many donations, that some gifts carried over into the back of another truck. One gift in particular, was greatly appreciated by Cindy.

"Every year we have special requests from children," said Cindy, "this year a child asked Santa for a Power Wheels toy and, if he got it, he promised to share with his brother. Well the Home Builders Association, without hesitation, granted that child his wish.ā€

Operation Military Cheer means something different to another Family Assistance Center associate, Child and Youth Coordinator, Linda Jones. For her, Operation Military Cheer is the perfect time to give back to those who have sacrificed for her and others around her.

The representatives from the HBA were very proud to offer the donations. President of Home Builder Cares, and a member of the HBA board, James Monroe, brought his family to include his wife Martha and his daughter Mary.

"This is a very important relationship we have with the members of the Kentucky National Guard," said James, ā€œIā€™m happy that my family and I can help our Soldiers.ā€

Cindy hopes this will be another successful year and is confident in the success of Operation Military Cheer for the years to come.

"At the end of all this," said Culver, "I have a peace in my heart when I can sit down and eat with my family on Christmas, and know that other families are doing the same thing, with our help. The smiles on their faces mean much more to me than anything else."