Operation Happy Holidays supports Montana's deployed military members

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  This year will mark the 11th year the Operation Happy Holidays program will support Montana's deployed military members by sending a care package filled with a variety of items to them in time for the holidays. Included in each box will be several dozen homemade cookies.

"When we first started doing this in 1999, we never thought we'd still be doing it 11 years later," said Steve Kubick, former CEO of 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union. "But as long as we have military members deployed, we will continue to send them holiday cheer."

Mr. Kubick was the founder of the program and 1st Liberty FCU, along with the Montana Retirees Council, have been staunch supporters of the program ever since.

"It costs about $40 to put together each package and ship it to the military member," said Dimmer Kjelsrud, marketing director for 1st Liberty FCU. "Anyone who would like to sponsor a package can come in to any of our branches and make a donation. Those who donate $40 will have a letter inserted into the box, if they choose to do so, letting the military member know who sponsored that package."

Donations can also be mailed to Operations Happy Holidays, care of 1st Liberty FCU, PO Box 5002, Great Falls, MT, 59403-5002.

Many times, the military member will send a personal thank you to their sponsor, Ms. Kjelsrud said.

Cookie baking is set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-4 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1087, 4123 10th Ave. S. Volunteers are needed to help with the baking and packaging of the cookies. To volunteer, just come to the facility between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. All help will be welcomed.

Boxes will be packaged and prepared for shipping Dec. 5 starting at 10 a.m. at building 800 on Malmstrom. Families with deployed members are invited to come and pack a box for their loved ones.

Holiday gift wrapping at the base exchange will be offered Dec. 19, 20, 23 and 24. Anyone who would like to volunteer for a two hour shift on one of these days should contact Rose Maflin at 761-4010. All proceeds from the gift wrapping will go directly to the Operation Happy Holidays program for 2010.