LT. GOVERNOR WYMAN AND THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD KICK OFF OPERATION ELF

HARTFORD - Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and the Connecticut National Guard have kicked-off this year's special effort - Operation ELF to help the families of Soldiers and Airmen who are deployed, recently returned or preparing to deploy within the next 6 months.

Operation ELF was established to provide support to our military families who were dealing with the stresses of separation due to deployment, and be there to help lessen financial hardship as a result of their call to active duty. Operation ELF also provided the generous citizens of our great State an opportunity to "do something" to show their support of our men and women in uniform and their families.

"Lt. Governor Wyman's support of this program is just another example of her untiring dedication to the support to our Soldiers, Airmen and their families. She is doing everything possible to ensure they are given the opportunity to enjoy the upcoming holiday season," said Maj. Gen. Thaddeus J. Martin, Adjutant General and Commander of the Connecticut National Guard.

More than 70 Connecticut National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are currently deployed in Southwest Asia.

For the families, donations of grocery store cards, department store gift cards, new, unwrapped toys for all age groups, both sexes, are being sought. Grocery and department store gift cards will be used throughout the holidays and beyond for families in need. Donations of fuel oil and snow removal services can be made to the Connecticut National Guard Family Program.

Many of the toys that are collected will be distributed to service members and families affected by deployment during a special holiday party, scheduled for mid-December. Other toys will be held by families to be placed under trees on Christmas morning.

Financial contributions may be made to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

Donations may be dropped off at the following armories beginning Monday, October 21, 2013 through Monday, December 9, 2013 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. -

Armed Forces Reserve Center

103 ^rd Airlift Wing

37 Smith Street

100 Nicholson Road

Middletown, CT 06457

East Granby, CT 06026

Camp Niantic Readiness Center 103 ^rd Air Control Squadron

38 Smith Street 206 Boston Post Road

Niantic, CT 06357 Orange, CT 06447

Army Aviation Support Facility William A. O'Neill Armory

Bradley International Airport 360 Broad Street

Route 75 Hartford , CT 06105

Windsor Locks, CT 06096

Waterbury Armory New London Armory

64 Field Street 249 Bayonet Street

Waterbury , CT 06702 New London , CT 06320

Stratford Armory Norwich Armory

63 Armory Road 38 Stott Avenue

Stratford, CT 06497 Norwich, CT 06360

You can support a service member by supporting their family with the donation of a gift card to a local grocery or department store, gas station or pharmacy. These cards can be given to families so that they can choose what they need most. Cards of any denomination are most welcomed and appreciated.

Gift cards may be delivered to any one of our drop-off locations or, if you prefer, they can be mailed to:

Connecticut National Guard

Office of Family Programs

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT 06105

If mailing a donation, please be sure to include your name, address and phone number so that we can send an appropriate acknowledgement of your contribution.

Within ELF is t he Adopt-A-Family program. Its goal is to assist those families who are suffering extreme financial hardship as a result of their service member's call to Active Duty. Individuals or businesses may "adopt" a family from this category and help them have a great holiday season. The name of the family is never revealed to the adopting person or organization. Rather, a summary of the family's demographics and wish list are provided. Gifts are delivered by that family's case worker along with the name of the donor, if desired.

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that was established in April of 2003 for the purpose of providing emergency financial assistance for Connecticut National Guard members and their families. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Donations to the foundation can be sent to:

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT 06105

Website: www.ctngfoundation.org