As the sun rose on Nov. 15 gifts flowed out of ruck sacks by the dozens and onto the shelves of Fort Campbell’s Operation Homefront.
This year the 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, partnered with the Tennessee-Kentucky field office of Operation Homefront to make the holiday season a little richer for children and Families of Fort Campbell.
The Soldiers conducted a Toy Ruck March, filling their rucksacks with toys and gifts and then marching to the Operation Homefront office on post to deliver the donations.
Sergeant David Huger, C Company, 326th BEB, was impressed by his teammates’ spirit of giving.
“It was nice to see everybody take their time to give, want to be a part of it, participate, and you can see how we are one Army, one good unit and one good team,” Huger said.
There was no shortage of the giving holiday spirit among the Soldiers of the Sapper Eagle battalion. Seven companies of Soldiers packed holiday cheer, wore festive holiday attire and gave generously with the hopes of making this holiday season merry for others.
Sergeant Brandon Williamson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 326th BEB, was a leader in organizing the event.
Williamson was happy with the turnout and the amount of donations.
“I think it went exceptionally well, we took in a lot more toys than we thought we were going to get,” he said.
Together the Soldiers collected, donated and delivered 605 gifts. Among the gifts were stuffed animals, remote control cars, dolls, games, sports balls, and even video games. The total value of the donations is more than $5,800.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Zimmer, 326th BEB commander, organized the event with Kristen Henry, program manager for Operation Homefront. Additionally, Zimmer sought out the opportunity for 326th BEB Soldiers to volunteer with Operation Homefront’s Holiday House event.
He said he is grateful and proud of the strong support his Soldiers brought to the effort.
“This was a great event to be able to help Fort Campbell military Families have a merry Christmas this year,” Zimmer said.
Holiday House is sponsored by Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military Families.
Henry and Operation Homefront staff host the Holiday House event each year for Families who could benefit from holiday toy donations. She said Holiday House provides Families a place where they can shop for toys for their children and relieve some financial stress that can come during the holiday season.
The Sapper Eagle Toy Ruck March, Henry said, was an inspiration and warmed her heart.
“It was truly one of the most special events I have ever been a part of. We are very thankful for all the support today,” Henry said. “We’ve had some amazing toys come through. There are going to be some happy kids this holiday season.”