The
Kiwanis Club of New London announced today that it has adopting
Operation Holiday Cheer to provide a holiday gift to the children of
military families in Connecticut.
Launched
in 2007 by the Kiwanis Clubs of Maine, Operation Holiday Cheer (OHC)
was founded to provide a holiday gift to the children of military
families in Maine. According to Marc Badeau, the National Chairman
of Operation Holiday Cheer, “This effort extended beyond personal
ideology - regardless of one's beliefs about the war, everyone agrees
that these children deserve our show of appreciate and support when
their moms and dads are away or are haunted by the ever-present
specter of deployment. The program is not a needs-based program but
one of appreciation to the children of military families for their
sacrifice. This program is the ideal manner that a grateful nation
can show its support for the military without moral conflict - the
program transcends the debate of our role in the Middle East and
recognizes the forgotten heroes of this conflict.”
According
to Badeau, the program resulted in the distribution of over 8,000
gifts to over 140 cities and towns in the state of Maine. OHC has
been commended with a Joint Resolution from the Senate and the House
and has received a Citation of Merit from the Department of Defense.
OHC was also recognized in the US Congressional Record for its
program, which is the first time in the over 90 year history of
Kiwanis.
Given
the success of the program, OHC is expanding this year to include the
children of military families living in New England and New York.
Badeau sought the assistance of the Kiwanis Clubs of Connecticut and
did not look long before the Kiwanis Club of New London quickly
volunteered to spearhead the effort. Says Rich Cheatham, Connecticut
Chairman of Operation Holiday Cheer and member of the Kiwanis Club of
New London, “This program melds the Kiwanis concept of helping
children in our communities with our members firm belief that the
children of military families need the comfort of knowing that, we,
the citizens of Connecticut, stand proudly besides them during these
difficult times.
With
over 15,000 children in Connecticut that have a parent serving in the
military during the holidays, this program will have a significant
impact on the lives of a large number of children that have always
suffered in silence and asked for nothing.” says Cheatham.
Military
families can register for the program on the official website
(www.KiwanisOperationHolidayCheer.org) or can call the main office at
(207) 221-0296. Gifts are delivered on a first-come, first-served
basis based upon the amount of funds raised.
Extensive
corporate sponsorship opportunities are available including company
recognition in each of the packages and newsletters. Individual
donations are also being sought with name recognition of the donors
on the OHC website (www.KiwanisOperationHolidayCheer.org). Any
donations raised will be used solely to assist the families living in
Connecticut. Says Cheatham, “In its first year of operations, OHC
was able to deliver a holiday gift to EVERY child of a military
family living in Maine that requested one. I am confident that the
people of Connecticut will also donate generously to ensure that no
child that requests a gift is refused one due to lack of funds. The
time for bumper sticker slogans is over - it is time for us to show
meaningful support to our troops and their families.” For more
information or to make a contribution, please contact:
Mr.
Richard Cheatham
PO
Box 333
New
London, CT 06320
(860)
447-1266
Email:
operationholidaycheer@newlondonkiwanis.org