Experience The Joy of Giving Toys To Military Kids
Operation Homefront and
Dollar Tree, Inc. have joined forces again this holiday season to
gather Christmas gifts for thousands of military children across the country. The toys will be donated by customers of the more than 3,800 Dollar Tree and Deal$ stores nationwide.
Last year, Dollar Tree patrons donated an estimated $5.8 million in toys; this year's goal is $6 million. The toy drive comes at a time when Operation Homefront, a non-profit that helps military families in need and provides support to our nation's wounded warriors, has seen an increase for requests for financial assistance and 82 percent increase in requests for food assistance over last year.
"For the last three years, Dollar Tree and its customers have helped boost the morale of our nation's service members," said Operation Homefront Chief Executive Officer Jim Knotts. "Military families are not only dealing with the effects of the war, but also the economic recession. They've been hit especially hard over the last year. These donated toys will allow them to provide a happy holiday for their children."
"Dollar Tree is proud to serve as a national sponsor of Operation Homefront," said Chelle Davis, Dollar Tree spokesperson. "Our military and their families sacrifice so much, especially during deployments. It is an honor to participate in this program and give back in this small way."
Dollar Tree will collect items in its stores Nov. 1 - Dec. 6. Once the program ends, Operation Homefront volunteers will collect and distribute the gifts to military children at events nationwide. In areas where Operation Homefront does not have a chapter, local Family Readiness Groups will distribute the toys to military families and their children.