Toys for Kids Helps Make the Holiday Better for Soldiers, Families

Photo By Capt. Jeffery Sanders | Toys for Kids Helps Make the Holiday Better for Soldiers, Families  

LAWTON, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES

12.05.2022

Story by Capt. Jeffery Sanders 

Fort Sill Public Affairs

Toys for Kids Helps Make the Holiday Better for Soldiers, Families

Toys for Kids kicked off on Dec. 5 at the Fort Sill Conference Center. Toys for Kids is an annual program to assist junior-enlisted military families by giving them free gifts for their children for the holidays. Soldiers are selected by their command and referred for the program.

Aside from the program's primary target audience of junior-enlisted personnel, all service members are welcome to join if there is a financial need.

"The gas and food prices increase can be a financial strain on Soldiers. Toys for Kids is a way the community gets to support and give back to the military families," said Command Sgt. Maj. William Taylor, Fort Sill Garrison CSM.

Each year, organizations donate toys and/or money to the program, increasing the toy supply. Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation run the program, and they use donated funds to purchase gifts suited for children of all ages — from newborns to teenagers.

Soldiers who came to receive gifts expressed their gratitude to be able to participate in the program.

Spc. Chad Wright, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, participated in the program last year and said he was excited about what he was able to give his family. "The quality of the gifts are fantastic, and my kids truly love it, which makes me love it."

Toys for Kids runs from Dec. 5-9 and is located on post at Building 6045 Sheridan Road. The last chance for a Soldier to pick out toys from the center is Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. Contact your chain of command if you're a Fort Sill Soldier with children and a financial need to be referred for the program.

• Date Taken: 12.05.2022
• Date Posted: 12.08.2022 11:28
• Story ID: 434751
• Location: LAWTON, OKLAHOMA, US