Wednesday, October 30, 2013
PROVIDENCE--Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts launched Operation Holiday Cheer 2013 today at the National Guard Armory on Airport Road in Warwick, accompanied by Mayor Scott Avedisian and Major General Kevin McBride, corporate and community sponsors, and 2012 care package recipient Captain Michael Calcagni, Commander of the 169th Military Police Company. The initiative is organized by the Office of Lt. Governor and relies on sponsors and the general public for donations of wish list items to fill 350 cares packages, and monetary donations to ship the packages to troops overseas at the holidays.
"The generosity of Rhode Islanders and corporate sponsors makes Operation Holiday Cheer possible every year," Roberts said. "Every day spent away from home is difficult for our service men and women, and I can only imagine their longing to be with their families is heightened during the holiday season. The very least we can do is provide soldiers with some reminder of home to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers. It also allows us to express our deep appreciation for their service to our country," she said.
Previous care package recipient Captain Michael Calgagni told of his experience receiving a care package through Operation Holiday Cheer while serving overseas last holiday season.
Roberts announced donations from the general public will be accepted at the National Guard Armory, 541 Airport Road in Warwick on Saturday, November 23rd from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Volunteers will assemble the care packages for shipping overseas with the help of the United States Postal Service on Sunday, November 24th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Armory. Volunteers must register online to participate at www.ltgov.ri.gov/ohc.
Operation Holiday Cheer includes a host of corporate and community sponsors, including: AAA Southern New England, AlphaGraphics, American Red Cross - RI Chapter, Amica Mutual Insurance Company, AT&T New England, BankNewport, Banneker Industries, City of Warwick-Mayor's Office and the Warwick Police Department, CVS Caremark, Dunkin' Donuts, East Bay Newspapers, Employees' Community Services Association of Electric Boat, Hasbro, Inc., Home Depot, Local 57 Operating Engineers, National Grid, Neew England Coffee Company/Autocrat, Nortek, Ocean State Job Lot, Pawtucket Red Sox, The Providence Journal, RI National Guard Family Assistance Center, RI Resource Recovery Corp., US Postal Service, and Washington Trust. More sponsors are expected to sign on in the coming weeks.
For Troops' Wish List, to volunteer and for more info, visit www.ltgov.ri.gov. To make a donation, visit www.riredcross.org and click on Operation Holiday Cheer. Checks also may be sent and made payable to the American Red Cross RI Chapter/Operation Holiday Cheer, 105 Gano St., Providence, RI 02906.
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