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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by Olivia Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs
Representatives from Ale-8-One delivered donations to the Kentucky National Guard’s Operation Military Cheer in Lawrenceburg, Ky., Dec. 9, 2014. Pictured left to right: Shirley Thornberry, Cindy Culver, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Hunt, Linda Jones, Fielding Rogers, Ann Ripy, Pam Brough, Capt. Geremy Harper. (Photo by Olivia Burton)
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard’s annual Operation Military Cheer got some additional help this year from a famous Kentucky company.
As a part of its #P8TRIOT campaign this season, Ale-8-One partnered with Operation Military Cheer to donate to the American Legion Auxiliary Anderson Unit 34.
Cindy Culver, Kentucky National Guard Child and Youth Coordinator hugs a child at “Santa’s workshop” of Operation Military Cheer in Lawrenceburg, Ky., Dec. 9, 2014. Culver said the program assisted 151 military families and nearly 400 children in Kentucky for 2014. (Photo by Olivia Burton)
Ale-8-One team members visited Patriot Hall in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, on Dec. 9 to bring the toys and of course, cases of Ale-8-One for the volunteers and families. On-site to greet the Ale-8-One team members were members of the Kentucky Guard and the American Legion Auxiliary.
“It was truly a joy for our employees to collect toys and gifts for such a wonderful organization,” said Fielding Rogers, 4th Generation Owner of Ale-8-One. “Operation Military Cheer brings smiles to so many faces during the holidays and we were pleased to play just a small part.”
The toy drive was part of an effort by the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Assistance Center to ensure that the children of Kentucky’s military families across all of the uniform services – active duty and reserve, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – have a memorable holiday season. Contributions for this year’s drive came from a wide range of sources, local businesses, civilians, churches and schools as well as Kentucky National Guard troops and their families.
“Every year my family donates to multiple charities, food drives and participate in Operation Military Cheer,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Peel. “Donating money to charities is easy but isn’t something that gets kids excited. Operation Military Cheer provided me the opportunity to get my children more involved in giving. My kids now look forward to this time of year and start asking me in November if the announcements have come out.”
“We are so pleased to let everyone know that we had 151 families ask for assistance and that included 384 kids,“ Cindy Culver gladly announced to the Family Programs Office in Frankfort, Kentucky. “With the support of local organizations, businesses, and good Samaritans, toys were distributed to families across the Commonwealth in an effort to make the holidays a little brighter for service members.”
DWA
Story and photo by David Altom, KYNG Public Affairs
Frankfort, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2010) — Charity begins at home, so the saying goes, and Kentucky National Guard troops and their families are banding together for the sixth year in a row to create a little comfort and joy during the holiday season.
Linda Jones and Cindy Culver pull double duty with the Family Assistance Center as "Christmas elves" as part of the Kentucky National Guard's Operation Military Cheer. At last count more than 210 Guard youth have been designated to receive gifts ... and the number keeps on growing.
“Times are tough for a lot of our Guard families the past few years,” said Cindy Culver, State Youth Coordinator for the Kentucky National Guard. “And in Kentucky we’re all family, so we’re getting together to take care of each other.”
“Getting together” is what the Kentucky Guard’s Family Assistance Center does best. Since 2005 the FAC has run Operation Military Cheer, connecting those in need with those who can.
The process is fairly simple: Guard families who cannot afford holiday gifts apply for assistance through the FAC and those requests are handed out to donors who want to help their fellow Soldiers and Airmen.
That first Christmas the program supported about 40 children in need and the numbers have grown every year since. Culver cited the uniqueness of the National Guard as a definite factor in the program.
Wrapped up and ready to go under the Christmas tree! This gift bag is numbered and targeted for a Guard family in the Morehead area.
“When you think National Guard you have to remember that most of our troops have civilian jobs that are affected by the economy,” said Culver. “So many are affected, especially with layoffs and cutbacks going on all across the workforce. Last year we were able to help more than 300 youth in the Kentucky National Guard family. So far this year we’ve got requests to provide for more than 210 youth from 87 families. We expect that number to increase significantly over the next several days.”
Requested items range from bicycles and toys to clothing.
“Anything is a good thing,” said Culver. “We just want everyone to get something for Christmas.”
The deadline to apply for assistance is Dec. 7. All applications received after that will be considered on a case by case basis.
To find out how you can become part of Operation Military Cheer contact: Cindy Culver @ cindy.culver@us.army.mil or Linda Jones @ linda.jones@us.army.mil. You can also reach them through the Family Assistance Center hotline at 1-800-372-7601.
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