LITTLETON, Colo., Nov. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For the 8th continuous year, the Navy Christmas Project will be sending out Christmas bags to deployed United States Sailors that are not able to make it home for the holidays. Beginning in 2012, Laurie and Dave Gallegos started the organization as a labor of love and to support their own son, Nate, who was stationed in the Middle East, on the USS Eisenhower, at the time. That first year, as Laurie was packing up a Christmas package to send to Nate, she learned from other Navy moms that a good number of deployed sailors receive nothing during the holiday season. Thus, the idea of the Navy Christmas Project!
Every year, Laurie, Dave, and their team commit to sending gift bags to sailors onboard their adopted ship (which changes year to year). The bags contain goodies such as chocolate, drink mixes, "soft" toilet paper, a loofa, and other small items that are considered a luxury while at sea. Fundraising is done throughout the year to ensure that not only are items able to be purchased for the bags themselves, but that postage is able to be paid, which can be close to $2500 for all the boxes.
Says Laurie of the Project, "This started out as a small way for one proud Colorado mom to be part of her son's Christmas while he was away serving his country." She continued, "make no mistake, Dave and I know that Nate's service in the Navy, while not a small sacrifice for our family, pales in comparison to what many service members and their families endure. Each year we are humbled by the responses we receive from everyone who helps and donates both their time and money and I am so proud to be able to continue this project year after year."
This year, the bags will be packed on November 26th and 27th, at Zenith Home Loans; 10822 W. Toller Drive, Suite 120, Littleton, 80127. The bags must be mailed out no later than November 29th to guarantee that they will reach the ship in time for Christmas.
If you are interested in donating either time or money, please visit http://www.navychristmasproject.org.
Media Contact: Jason Stilgebouer |[email protected] | 303.347.7587
SOURCE The Navy Christmas Project
Share this article