Operation Holiday Cheer
In 2007, the Kiwanis Clubs of Maine launched a statewide program entitled "Operation Holiday Cheer (OHC),"
an important and ambitious effort to provide holiday gifts to the children of Maine's military families.
Operation Holiday Cheer successfully provided over 8,000 holiday gifts to over 140 cities and towns throughout
the state of Maine. The success of OHC has allowed us to expand the program in 2008 to include children of
military families throughout New England and New York.
Operation Holiday Cheer seeks to raise money to purchase and deliver a holiday package to every child of
military servicemen and servicewomen who is interested in participating and lives in New England or New York.
This effort goes beyond personal ideology - regardless of your beliefs about the war, we think you will agree
that these children deserve our show of appreciation and support when their moms and dads are away or are haunted
by the ever-present specter of deployment. Their sacrifice during these difficult times should not go unnoticed.
Based upon the feedback received from the branches of the military, the Department of Defense and the recipient
families, we firmly believe that Operation Holiday Cheer has made a significant impact in the lives of the children
of military families.
Over 76,000 children in New England and New York have a parent who serves in the military during the holidays.
They need our support and recognition, and we can't let them down. Quite simply, Operation Holiday Cheer will
strive to raise money until each and every child has a gift available to them.
We have enlisted the support of CBS, Citadel Broadcasting, Nassau Broadcasting Partners, and a host of other
companies and organizations who believe that Operation Holiday Cheer is a vital and important project that
recognizes the patriotism, valor and sacrifice of these military children during the most difficult time of
the year - the holidays. OHC provides holiday gifts on a "first-come", "first-served" basis based upon the
funds available so in order to ensure that no child is refused a gift, we need your support. Click on the tabs
above to find out more about how you can help bring a smile to all the children of New England and New York's
military families.
To make a donation, call us at (207)-221-0296 or click on the button below for credit card payments. We also
accept checks or money orders at:
- Kiwanis - Operation Holiday Cheer
- PO Box 699
- Gorham, ME 04038
Please specify if your donation is to be used solely for the military families in your state or can be used
for any military family in New England or New York.
On behalf of Kiwanis and the children of New England and New York's military families, I sincerely
thank you for your generous support.
- Marc Badeau
- President - Kiwanis
- Chairman - Operation Holiday Cheer
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