FALL RIVER, M.A. (WPRI) – This holiday season, one local organization is doing its part to make sure relatives of servicemen and women receive something special.
The non-profit foundation “Military Friends” is collecting toys for veterans to give to their children and grandchildren during the holidays.
The effort kick-started in Fall River Saturday, and another event is planned for Sunday from 11a.m.-2p.m. at the Brockton VA Medical Center, Building 22.
Veterans families can go to the toy shop and find free toys for children and teenagers, from ages 2-17.
Operation Military Smiles began five years ago, in memory of two Fall River natives killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.
Specialist Scott Andrews and Sergeant Robert Barrett died in 2010, and this weekend Barrett’s mother hopes to put smiles on the faces of many military families.
“When my son was in Afghanistan, we used to say to him, ‘you know, what do you want us to send,'” Carlene Barrett told Eyewitness News.”He would say ‘mom, just send me toys for the kids,’ that’s all he ever wanted was toys for the kids.”
According to the Fall River Herald, donation have been down this year but the foundation is still hoping to give five-thousand toys to local veterans’ families in the two cities.If you would like to donate to Military Friends or for more information, visit www.militaryfriends.org/smiles or call 1-84-HELP-VETS.
