Photo By Staff Sgt. Casey Hustin | Sgt. First Class Gorge Medina with 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, talks about his...... read more read more
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Soldiers with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, conducted a toy run in support of Operation Santa Claus Dec. 15 on Fort Riley.
It was a dark, frozen morning, but the “Defender” battalion warmed to the challenge as Command Sgt. Maj. Tresia Huell, a native of Jamaica, addressed the Defenders before the run.
“In this season of giving and comradery, we just want to do this run,” Huell said. “Thanks to those that actually brought some toys just to give back to the community.”
According to Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Medina, this is the 33rd year of Operation Santa Claus, and his third year of operating it in a row.
“This is a great program that will bring happiness to Soldiers on and off post,” Medina said.
There are more than 800 “Big Red One” children who have received toys from Operation Santa Claus this year.
“Operation Santa Claus gives toys to children that aren’t as advantaged as others,” said Capt. Jennifer L. Houle, commander of the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard.
The color guard mounted up and followed the runners while their wagon rounded up the procession, decorated for the holidays and carrying the toys donated that morning for Operation Santa Claus.
“I’ve done about fifteen toy runs over the years, and donated a toy for the children,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew A. Miller, HHBN operations noncommissioned officer in charge from Lexington, Virginia. “It’s always been a good program.”
This is the first time he’s set it up.
“It’s a little bit more work involved, making sure it’s a successful event,” Miller said.
HHBN coordinated with Operation Santa Claus to find out the dates that they were accepting toy donations. Then they contacted the CGMCG so they’d provide riders and the wagon for the toys.
Each individual company within the battalion was also involved in providing an opportunity for Soldiers to donate toys during the run, Miler said. “This event is important because there are families on the installation who have children that could use some good toys for Christmas.”
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2018 15:09 |
| Story ID: | 261763 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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