Press Releases
11/02/2016
Lt. Governor Wyman & CT National Guard Kick Off Operation Elf
15th Anniversary of Campaign Supporting Military Families
(HARTFORD, CT) – Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and Major General Thad Martin, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, today launched 15th annual Operation ELF (Embracing Lonely Families), a program that eases the financial stresses military families face resulting from the call to active duty.
“This is a great opportunity for anyone who’s ever wanted to ‘do something’ to support Connecticut’s troops,” said Lt. Governor Wyman. “Our military men and women have so bravely answered the call to duty; we’re grateful for their service and want to make deployment as easy as possible for their loved ones.”
“This annual campaign gives Connecticut residents an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all of the military families who are sacrificing so much in order to protect and serve our nation,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “I thank the Connecticut National Guard for their work, and I encourage everyone to give what they can.”
“For us, the Op ELF holiday party for military families is one of the most highly anticipated days of the year,” said Maj. Gen. Martin. “The families of our Guardsmen put in maximum effort year-round—to alleviate a little stress around the holidays is important.”
Donations of gift cards for grocery and department/home goods stores, pharmacies, and gas stations help support military families throughout the year. Fuel oil, snow removal, and home maintenance services are also needed, and new, unwrapped toys for young people of all ages are welcome.
In 2015, Operation ELF distributed more than $10,000 in gift cards to military families in need, the Adopt-A-Family program supported more than 125 military families, and hundreds of toys were distributed to children of Soldiers and Airmen.
Currently, 400 Connecticut Airmen are preparing for deployment to Southwest Asia, 100 deployed last week to the Middle East, and 60 National Guard Soldiers recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan.
Residents or businesses may also Adopt-A-Family through the Operation ELF program. Adopt-A-Family assists military families suffering extreme financial hardship and allows donors to purchase items on the family’s wish list. Names remain confidential, only demographic information is provided to supporters.
How to donate:
Donations may be dropped off Monday – Friday, November 7 – December 12, 2016 during normal business hours. Large quantity donations or anyone requiring drop-off outside of business hours, please call (800) 858-2677.
Army Aviation Support Facility
Bradley International Airport
85-300 Light Lane (Off of Route 75)
William A. O’Neill Armory
360 Broad Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Armed Forces Reserve Center
90 Wooster Heights Road
Danbury, CT 06702
New London Armory
249 Bayonet Street
New London, CT 06320
Gift cards or financial contributions (made through the CT National Guard Foundation) may be mailed to:
Connecticut National Guard
Office of Family Programs
360 Broad Street
Hartford, CT 06105
The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that provides emergency financial assistance for Connecticut National Guard members and their families. Donations are tax-deductible.
Please be sure to include your name, address and phone number so an acknowledgement of your contribution can be sent.
For more information about Operation ELF, please call (800) 858-2677 or visit the Connecticut National Guard Facebook page.
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/@LGWyman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LtGovWyman
Office of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman