Operation ELF Supports The Troops And Their Families

To the Editor:

At this time of year, our thoughts turn to loved ones both near and far. This year, in particular, we are thinking about the 1,100 Connecticut troops who are serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and here in our own country.

Many military families will spend the holidays worrying about and missing their loved ones who are on active duty. Recently, in cooperation with the Connecticut National Guard, I launched Operation ELF to let these families know that they are not alone.

The Connecticut troops have left behind 2,671 dependent family members, including 557 young children. Many of these families have struggled emotionally and financially during the active duty assignments of their loved ones. They face financial pressures because soldiers have seen the elimination or reduction of their civilian job paychecks. Operation ELF will focus primarily on providing assistance to these families, but will also seek donations for care packages for our deployed troops.

For the families, donations of new, unwrapped toys for all age groups are being sought. Many of the toys that are collected will be distributed to the children during a special holiday dinner scheduled for mid-December. Other toys will be held and placed under trees on Christmas morning.

Also, grocery gift cards, which may be used to buy holiday dinners, and phone cards, which may be used to call their deployed loved ones, are needed. Donations of fuel oil, Christmas trees, snow removal services, gift cards for discount or department stores. and financial contributions would be welcome.

For our troops, care package items could include holiday cards, local newspapers, letters recorded on audio tape, movie or television program DVDs, magazines, puzzle books (crossword, word search, etc), prepaid calling cards, lip balm, and disposable cameras.

It will be a difficult holiday season for many Connecticut families. But all of us can make a heartfelt difference — we can bring the warmth of the holiday season to our military families. Please, help us remember our soldiers and their families. Help us lift spirits and send a message of love, hope, and peace for 2004.

Those wishing to donate items for soldier care packages or family care packages may bring them to my office, Room 304 of the State Capitol in Hartford, to the Hartford State Armory, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, or to any of the armories around the state. Financial contributions may be sent to: CT National Guard Foundation, Inc, 360 Broad Street, Box 53, Hartford, CT 06105-3795 [a 501©(3) organization].

Thank you and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

Sincerely,

M. Jodi Rell

Lieutenant Governor

State Capital, Hartford                                  November 25, 2003