Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  News Features
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 New Hampshire Guard delivers for Operation Santa Claus By Staff Sgt. Victoria Nelson,
                157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
 PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – New Hampshire National Guardsmen and volunteers from the State Employees Association transported truckloads of presents to the Department of Health and Human Services district offices in Concord during Operation Santa Claus Dec. 13. Each year the DHHS partners with the SEA and New Hampshire National Guard to deliver gifts to nearly 3,000 families and children in need across the granite state. Phillip Burt, the chairman of Operation Santa Claus with the SEA, said many of the gifts go to foster children in every corner of New Hampshire. “It’s a unique event because the DHHS staff provides case sheets with basic background information and gift suggestions for the sponsors,” he said. “That means that each child gets exactly what they want for the holidays.” Sponsors include state, municipal and county workers, local businesses, schools and community groups. They donate $80 or more in gifts chosen specifically for their child. Pam Matott, a volunteer at Operation Santa Claus for 41 years, said the event has grown with the needs of the community. “Involvement goes beyond gift-giving,” she said. “We are able to significantly help more kids as the event gets bigger and bigger every year.” Bikes, Bluetooth headphones and New England sports apparel were a few of the most requested gifts this season. “There are usually 100 to 120 bikes stacked all along the wall,” Matott said, as she pointed to the side of the warehouse now piled with colorful gifts. “Many of the older kids use the bikes they receive as modes of transportation throughout the year. You can see and know you’re making an impact on their everyday lives.” Matott said she has seen local sponsor companies and agencies become increasingly more involved over the years and hopes to see more sponsors from outside the Concord area as the event continues to grow. “Every little bit counts,” she added. “Now, smaller organizations and families partner together to support one child. That’s one more wish that can come true.” For National Guard members, Operation Santa provided an opportunity to give back to their local communities. “It was really rewarding to be a part of something that gives directly to families in the state of New Hampshire,” said Senior Master Sgt. Lonnie Major, the 157th Fuels Flight superintendent. “There were a lot of gifts going to kids and families who really need them.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  New Hampshire National Guard
 North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership State Partnership Program • yesterday
 Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School Overseas Operations • yesterday
 Idaho Air Guard Conducts Panther Shadow Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program State Partnership Program • yesterday
 Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (33)  2023 (107)  2022 (121)  2021 (119)  2020 (203)  2019 (208)  2018 (165)  2017 (164)  2016 (109)  2015 (52)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil