As the holidays approach, dozens of Connecticut military members are deployed overseas and you can help make things easier for their family here at home through Operation ELF.
“The Connecticut National Guard holds this generous campaign each year, giving all of us an opportunity to support and say ‘thank you’ to the families of those who are admirably serving our nation and are deployed during the holidays,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a statement. “Not only do the men and women serving in the military deserve our utmost respect, but we also wholeheartedly acknowledge the sacrifices that their families make because of their loved one’s commitment to our country. I encourage everyone to give what they can to help those who have given so much to all of us.”
Operation ELF -- Embracing Lonely Families – has been helping families of deployed military members since 2003 by providing gift cards to pharmacies, grocery, department, and home supply stores, as well as donations of fuel oil, snow removal and other home maintenance services. You can contribute from now through mid- December.
Thirty-eight Connecticut National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are currently deployed and another 225 of Connecticut’s National Guard and Airmen are expected to deploy within the next 15 months.
“We continue to be humbled by the generosity of the people of Connecticut in supporting the families of our Soldiers and Airmen—not just around the holidays but throughout the year.” Maj. Gen. Martin, Commander of the Connecticut National Guard said.
You can make donations to Operation ELF at the Governor’s Residence Holiday Open Houses on Dec. 5 and 6, between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 4 p.m.
You can also make donations through the non-profit Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc., c/o 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105-3796. All donations are tax-deductible.
You can also make drop off donations at the following Connecticut National guard facilities between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 12.
- Gov. William A. O’Neill Armory Base, 360 Broad Street in Hartford
- Bradley Air National Guard, 100 Nicholson Road, East Granby
- Windsor Locks Readiness Center/Army Aviation Support Facility, 85-300 Light Lane in Windsor Locks
- New London Armory249 Bayonet Street in New London
- Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center, 90 Wooster Heights Road in Danbury
If you mail donations, include your name, address and phone number so that contributions can be acknowledged:
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Additional questions about Adopt-A-Family, donations, or Operation ELF can be directed to Operation ELF at 1-800-858-2677. Information is also available on Facebook.
The Connecticut National Guard Service Member and Family Support Center distributes gifts throughout the year and those looking to help can also take part in the Adopt-A-Family program, which provides military families with winter clothing, food, utility assistance and more.
Get more information on the Connecticut National Guard Foundation online here.
