Operation Homefront spreads holiday cheer Published Dec. 10, 2014 By Danny Webb 82 TRW PA SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Training Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center here held a toy collection to distribute gifts to military families in the community Dec. 4, 2014. The holiday toy drive was hosted by Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides assistance for U.S. troops and their families around the world. Operation Homefront is an organization which leads more than 2,500 volunteers with a nation-wide presence providing emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. "It was a blessing and an honor to be there for the service members and their families, seeing them smile when they saw all the gifts made me feel very happy and there are no words that can describe how thankful I was because they do more for us than we do for them and for that I'm grateful, "said Jenny Valderas, San Antonio Community Liaison. Toys were donated by the community around the base and collected from local stores as part of a nation-wide program. At the event, they served more than 250 children to more than 80 military families. The goal of the non-profit organization is to help junior enlisted members with their expenses during the holiday season. "Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 93 percent of total donations to Operation Homefront go directly to programs that provide support to our military families, "said Valderas. This program also provides emergency assistance for U.S. military troops, their families, and wounded servicemen when they return home. The organization raises funds to provide emergency, financial, and morale assistance to families while troops are participating in a tour of duty. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.