Inspired by transparent. Adopt the military for the holidays

[JennyMominRI]

I don't know if people know about this,but most bases have a program wherein you can aport a Soldier/Sailor/Marine for the holidays... This is great for young military members away from home without families..I was adopted by a family for Thanksgiving one year while on Active Duty..I in turn adopted Marines on a few holidays over the years. Those first holidays away from home can be tough and these people would love a home cooked meal and family atmosphere for the holidays..Keep your eyes on the newspapers as the holidays draw closer

 

[JennyMominRI]

I found an atricle on this

Local Families Adopt Sailors for Thanksgiving
Story Number: NNS021209-08
Release Date: 12/9/2002 10:34:00 AM


By Journalist 3rd Class Lynn Iron, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- For most, Thanksgiving Day is usually spent with family and friends. Many Sailors, however, were not fortunate enough to be with those they love because they were too far away. The Armed Services YMCA, with the help of the military, has been providing Sailors with Thanksgiving Home Hospitality families for the past 60 years so military personnel will always have a home to go to for the holidays.

According to Cindy Farless, YMCA military program director, the project started in the early 1940’s when Sailors had nowhere to go for the holidays. Many families adopt more than one Sailor, which makes it a good deal for those Sailors who want to take a friend with them.

“We have a database of families that participate every year. The families are great; they love the program,” said Farless. “When we run out of Sailors, the families are disappointed because some of them make (this) part of their holiday tradition.”

Approximately 45 families volunteered to host the more than 60 Sailors and Marines adopted for the holidays.

“It’s too far to go home. My friend Chris and I are both being adopted for a day by one family,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) Seaman Ivan Bonachea. “I am used to a big holiday meal during Thanksgiving, so this should be nice.”

At 10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, Sailors and host families waited at the front gate of Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center to be paired up. The Sailors were nervous and excited, wondering what their day with the host family would be like.

“I did not want to spend the holiday alone. I have never been away from my family during the holidays before,” said Sonar Technician Seaman Chris Moss. “It will probably be weird around the family at first. I hope they like football and video games.”

When their numbers were called, Sailors were introduced to their host families, and departed the base with their family for a Thanksgiving dinner. However, not all the Sailors left in cars. Two Sailors were lucky enough to be transported by a fire truck to Fire Station Number 4 in Santee.

“We are having a Thanksgiving dinner at the Fire Department, and thought it would be nice to give back to the military in some way, so Don Anderson’s family decided to adopt some Sailors,” said Fire Captain Bruce Fearon. “If a drill or alarm goes off, we will take the Sailors with us to see what it is like. We thought it would be great to have the Navy spend time with us.”

For related news, visit the Navy Region Southwest Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrsw.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

This is a great program...especially if you're near a young serviceman/servicewoman who lives far from home near Thanksgiving time.

Most of the bases where we've been stationed are training bases, and if they're in the middle of a class at Christmastime, the base goes to minimum manning and the trainees get to go home. For those who have to work through the holidays, bases make care packages. If you have a base near you, you can usually get a copy of the base paper with information about either of the programs.

Another way to get information would be to call your base public affairs office. Now, more than ever...our guys and girls in uniform need to know how much we appreciate them.

 

[simba928]

That sounds like a cool program! I am sure the "adoptees" appreciate that very much and it is a chance to repay them for what they do for us!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Thats really nice! I hope that a lot of people read this!

 

[peachgirl]

What a great post and a wonderful idea.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Bumping

 

[JennyMominRI]

Bumping because it's the holiday now.

 

[welovewdw]

We sent "Christmas" to a platoon of 50 Marines last Christmas - and we're doing it again this year. It was really FUN ~ our friends all helped by either getting donations, bought stuff themselves, helped pack - whatever they could do. When people heard about it - It was like the ending of "It's a Wonderful Life" - they couldn't give fast enough. (brings tears to my eyes even now! I'm such a sap! LOL) By the time we were done, people had donated almost $10,000 and tons of fun stuff - it really snowballed once word spread. One friend of ours husband is a music producer - he got Toby Keith to donate 50 autographed, limited edition CD's! (should have said there are 51 Marines in hindsight! ) Our kids helped gift wrap everything, and we shipped it all off before Thanksgiving -

And as a side benefit - we were all totally in the holiday spirit WAY before Christmas!

Can't recommend doing this enough - it's really a fun project!!

btw - we were hooked up w/ our guys by www.marinecorpsmoms.com - I'd be happy to share email contacts with anyone who is interested!