US Military Continues Christmas Tradition of Helping Families in Need

The US military helps families in need every Christmas — a tradition that started decades ago. During this season, branches band together to make sure that each family smiles during the season. Here are three military-led initiatives that bring good cheer. 

Operation Christmas Drop

In 1952, the US Air Force started a humanitarian mission called Operation Christmas Drop. It all began when an aircrew saw people waving at them from Kapingamarangi Island, an atoll in Micronesia. The aircrew used a parachute to drop a box of supplies, and it has become a tradition since then. 

Operation Christmas Drop is performed by Yokota Air Base in Japan and Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Each box includes everything, not limited to supplies, but also toys. The longest-standing humanitarian airlift operation of the Department of Defense has also been featured in a Netflix original movie recently. 

Pacific Air Forces commander Gen. Ken Wilsbach shared their aim with TODAY. He said that they want to develop and maintain operational readiness. He noted that the long-running humanitarian tradition lets US and Japanese aircrews work together to help people in need. 

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Gen. Wilsbach also said that they are working with their Southeastern Pacific partners and allies to bring food, tools, and clothing to islands that are hard to reach. He is thankful to all the donors and charitable organizations that are helping continue their tradition despite a challenging year. 

Toys for Tots

Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks helped to bring joy to children by starting Toys for Tots in 1947. His wife, Diane, asked him to donate a few handcrafted dolls to an organization that supports children in need. Hendricks' did not find one, so his wife told him to start one. 

Together with the Marines in his Los Angeles reserve unit, Hendricks has given out 5,000 toys that year. His good friend, Walt Disney, drew a poster that featured a three-car miniature train, which is still used as their logo today. Every year, the nonprofit distributes an estimate of 18 million toys to seven million kids across the globe. 

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All American Presents from Paratroopers

The US Army's 82nd Airborne Division located at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, hosts All American Presents from Paratroopers every year. Each paratrooper from across the base gets a chance to win a raffle ticket after donating a present. 

They could earn coveted foreign jump wings, which are usually given to parachutists who jump from an aircraft commanded by a foreign officer. It creates a friendly competition among the soldiers because only selected raffle numbers are called and awarded. 

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Master Sgt. Alex Burnett of the 82nd Airborne explained that they want to make the season as special as they could. Apart from that, he also noted that by giving back, paratroopers are reminded of the importance of selfless service.