Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by Sgt. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Child and Youth Coordinators, Cindy Culver and Linda Jones, collect presents donated by representatives from the Home Builders Association of Lexington Dec. 5, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (Photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort, Kentucky Army National Guard, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - 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, Kentucky.
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.”
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.
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Hunt and representatives from both the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Assistance Center and the Home Builders Association of Lexington work together to load a box truck full of toy donations Dec. 5, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (Photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort, Kentucky Army National Guard, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
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. “I’m happy that my family and I can help our Soldiers.”
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.”
Staff report
Families are the unsung heroes of the US armed forces. They often suffered similar stress and loneliness as their deployed loved ones. It’s the job of the Family Assistance Center and Family Programs to provide support and guidance during both wartime and peacetime service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dale Greer)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month. Last year President Obama said that our nation owes “each day of security and freedom that we enjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their families. Behind our brave service men and women, there are family members and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and provide unending support.”
This annual proclamation marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation will honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation’s servicemembers.
Throughout the month of November, military families serving around the world are honored through a variety of observances and recognized for their commitment and the many contributions they make every day in support of the military and our nation. Efforts to recognize the sacrifices of the military family by Active, Guard, and Reserve leaders are being joined and supported by DoD organizations to include the Army Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and others.
Community leaders, businesses, and military bases and posts are teaming up to recognize military families through special events such as: open houses, fun runs, family fun nights, and community dinners; discounts at MWR facilities, local business and sporting events; and special recognitions during community activities throughout the month of November.
A military family enjoying “Christmas in October” last year at the Kentucky Air Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)
Family Support Program & the Family Assistance Center
Key to our state’s military community is the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Support Programs and the Family Assistance Center. This includes a State Youth Coordinator, Family Readiness Support Assistants, Family Assistance Center, Military Life Consultant, Personal Financial Counselor, Military One Source, Transition Assistance Advisor, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Survivor Outreach Services, and Community Outreach.
Joan Kivior serves as the Family Assistance Center Program Coordinator. A veteran of the Persian Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan, she knows the importance of families in the military community.
“For us military families are number one,” said Kivior. “I can tell you from experience that they are the heart and soul of the our armed forces. Without the support of our families the troops can’t do their job. It’s our job in the FAC to take care of the families so our soldiers and airmen can do theirs.”
According to Kivior last year the FAC provided assistance to both Army and Air Guard members and families experiencing personal and/or financial difficulties. Her team contacted 6,844 service members and their families, generating 2,243 cases to external agencies such as the American Legion, the Veterans Administration, USA Cares, the Military Family Trust Fund, Local Community Action Agencies and Church organizations and so on.
“It’s most definitely a team effort,” said Kivior. “We’ve worked hard to develop relationships throughout government and the private sector to help our families. There are very few problems we can’t solve one way or another.”
Kivior reminds us that the FAC provides assistance to family members from all branches of service residing in Kentucky, and not just the National Guard.
“While not everyone lives near an active duty base, we are scattered all across the state. We support all of our military families, active duty, Guard and reserve, Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. We’ve even helped folks connected with the Coast Guard. We can do it all.”
Click here for contact information on the Kentucky National Guard Family Assistance Center or call 1-800-372-7601.
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 @ [email protected] or Linda Jones @ [email protected]. You can also reach them through the Family Assistance Center hotline at 1-800-372-7601.
###
