WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — This holiday season, the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) is launching Operation VECTR Military Child, a program designed to spread cheer to military-affiliated families through carefully curated shoebox gifts.
Inspired by Operation Christmas Child, the initiative invites community members to pack shoeboxes for military children across four age ranges: 2-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 14-18 years old. Donors can fill boxes with toys, personal care items, school supplies and accessories.
"We know that this time of year can be stressful for our families, especially for military families," said Amber Trimm, coordinator success coach at VECTR. "We want to remind them that they're not alone and that they have a community behind them to support them."
The program holds special significance for veterans like Carlos Pendleton, a former Army staff sergeant with a decorated military history, including service during Desert Storm, Somalia, and Afghanistan. As a father of seven children, Pendleton understands the emotional challenges of military service during the holidays.
"Being away from my kids, it was hard," Pendleton said. "Knowing that there were programs that just was able to put a smile on my kid's face in my absence – it made me feel good, it made me feel great."
Pendleton's personal experience highlights the program's importance. With four boys and three girls ranging from 32 to 16 years old, he knows firsthand the impact of small gestures during challenging times.
"It's nothing like for a child to wake up and to have something under the tree no matter what it is," Pendleton said. "For any child growing up during this time of the year to receive something means the whole world to them."
Global initiatives like Operation Christmas Child have demonstrated the widespread impact of such programs. Since 1993, similar shoebox gift programs have delivered 186 million boxes to children in over 100 countries.
VECTR's program will distribute the shoeboxes during a resource fair on Dec. 18. All military-affiliated families in the Middle Georgia area are eligible to apply through a QR code-linked Google form.
"All military-affiliated families are eligible to apply," Trimm said. "It doesn't matter if you're active duty, if you're a veteran, if you are struggling right now and you want just a little bit of extra support."
For those considering donating, Pendleton offers a simple but powerful message: "If you have it to give, give it. You'll be surprised what your small gift would mean to someone who's less fortunate."
Donors can drop off shoeboxes at the VECTR Center by Dec. 11. For more information, contact the center directly at (478) 218-3900.