Donations ready for Op. Holiday Cheer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - They are some of life's simplest pleasures, but they mean everything to our troops serving overseas, especially during the holiday season. Saturday, hundreds of generous Rhode Islanders dropped off donations for "Operation Holiday Cheer."

The basic cardboard boxes are filled with the basics themselves -- from books, to bath soap, to packs of playing cards -- but for our 230 Rhode Island National Guard members who are serving our country overseas, the everyday items will brighten their holidays while they are far from home.

"They survey those who are serving and ask them, what they need and are looking for, so what we're collecting here are things they've specifically asked us for," said Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, whose office has chaired the program for the past several years.

Operation Holiday Cheer kicks in to high gear right before Thanksgiving, giving volunteers enough time to collect the wish list of items and then pack them all to get ready to be shipped out.

"[The service members] really have said how important it is to them... when they're far away at the holidays, to open a box," said Lt. Gov. Roberts. "We try and put the letters and pictures from children at the top, and that special personal touch."

"Part of what's going to happen is, we're going to take about 220 of these down to Cuba on the 20th of December and hand-deliver them to them, just before the holidays," said Brig. Gen. Brian Goodwin of the Rhode Island National Guard.

As volunteers from the National Guard and the Family Readiness Group continue to collect the valued donations, they're always thinking of who they're for -- and what those receiving the packages are doing for all of us.

"It's got to be such a morale booster for them," said Brig. Gen. Goodwin, "and especially right around the holidays, knowing that they can't be home with their families, but yet... their BIG family is thinking of them!"

All the boxes will be packed next Saturday, November 21, at the North Main Street Armory in Providence. The program is still looking for volunteers.