Operation gears up to bring 'Rhody' to troops

John Howell
Posted 10/24/14

Charles Fogarty remembers it as one of those moments when you haven’t a clue as to what might happen.

It was 2003. Fogarty was Lieutenant Governor. President Bush had declared Iraqi Freedom and …

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Operation gears up to bring 'Rhody' to troops

Posted

Charles Fogarty remembers it as one of those moments when you haven’t a clue as to what might happen.

It was 2003. Fogarty was Lieutenant Governor. President Bush had declared Iraqi Freedom and units of the Rhode Island National Guard had been deployed.

Fogarty thought it would be wonderful to have those serving receive something from home during the holidays. The idea took off and Operation Holiday Cheer was born, although that makes it sound much easier than it was.

A date was set for the delivery and shipping of items.

Fogarty remembered that day on Tuesday, as the 2014 Operation Holiday Cheer revved up for another year with kickoff ceremonies at the Armory on Airport Road.

That first operation started at 6 a.m. and it wasn’t until 11 p.m. that the last truck pulled out.

“We did everything in one day,” Fogarty said.

They learned that was possible, but also, not to do that again. The response was so overwhelming that an estimated 20 tons of donations – everything from toiletries to snack bars, playing cards and coffee syrup – was left behind. It didn’t go to waste. The items went to family service centers and found their way to the families of those deployed.

“I can’t believe we just did this,” Fogarty remembers thinking. Had he imagined the task would be so daunting, he might have thought twice before suggesting it.

Elizabeth Roberts had no qualms of carrying on the tradition when she was elected. Now, as she faces a term limit, she is about to step down.

“I thank Charlie Fogarty for handing this off to me,” she said Tuesday. Noting it will be her last drive, she said “So, let’s make this one just as successful, if not more so.”

Many are working to see that happen. The list of corporate sponsors is long and includes some uniquely Rhode Island companies, such as Del’s Lemonade, Ocean State Job Lot, Nortek and the Pawtucket Red Sox.

But the success of the drive is also dependent on the general public. Public donations will be accepted Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Armory at 541 Airport Rd. The following day, volunteers will assemble care packages for shipping with the help of the United States Postal Service. The Rhode Island Chapter of the Red Cross is accepting donations for postage – checks should be marked for Operation Holiday Cheer – as the Post Office cannot make free deliveries.

At Tuesday’s kickoff, Chief Master Sergeant Gregory Houghton of the Rhode Island Air Guard talked about what it is like to get a package that has that special “Rhody feel,” such as Dunkin Donuts. Dunkin Donuts donates hundreds of pounds of coffee to the drive.

As Meredith Gregory, of sponsor Amica Mutual Insurance, said, “They may be away from home but they’re never forgotten…this is a little bit of Rhody.”

National Grid Director of Government Affairs, Michael Ryan, said the company is proud to be a part of the effort.

“Our employees don’t have to be asked, they just participate,” he said.

Scott Avedisian, as mayor of the host city, pledged his support.

“In the wake of 9/11, the members of the Rhode Island National Guard have continued to answer the call to duty with courage and dedication,” he said.

"What makes Operation Holiday Cheer so successful, year after year, is the deeply generous spirit of Rhode Islanders and our corporate-community sponsors,” Roberts said.

A “troops’ wish list” can be found on the Lieutenant Governor’s website. The “bring list” ranges from beef jerky to foot powder, socks, bug spray, crossword puzzles and baseballs. The “don’t bring list” includes baseball bats, canned foods, chocolate, books and anything packaged in glass.

The website also has information on how to volunteer and make a donation.

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