LT. GOV. WYMAN, NATIONAL GUARD ANNOUNCE START OF

2011 OPERATION ELF

Program Seeks Donations to Assist Families of Deployed Soldiers and Airmen

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and the Connecticut National Guard today announced the launch of the ninth annual Operation ELF program that supports families of Soldiers and Airmen who have been deployed overseas.

More than 120 Connecticut National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are currently serving in Southwest Asia and 600 more are expected to deploy and return home between now and next spring - affecting more than 1,000 family members.

"While these men and women are protecting our freedom, their loved ones still have to find ways to keep paying the bills and take care of their families," Wyman said. "Donations of toys, cash or gift cards will make a real difference in the lives of those left behind and give peace of mind to our military men and women overseas."

Donations of new, unwrapped toys and grocery and department store gift cards are particularly being sought. Many of the toys that are collected will be distributed to children affected by deployment during a holiday party scheduled for Dec. 17 at the William A. O'Neill Armory.

Operation ELF can be reached at: (800) 858-2677. Donations may be dropped off at the following armories through Monday, December 12, 2011 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

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

Gift cards may also be mailed to:

Connecticut National Guard

Office of Family Programs

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT 06105

When mailing a donation, please be sure to include your name, address and phone number so you may receive an appropriate acknowledgement of your contribution.

Donations of fuel oil and snow removal services can be made to the Connecticut National Guard Family Program and financial contributions may be made to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

Donations to the foundation can be sent to:

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT 06105

Website: www.ctngfoundation.org

Within ELF is the Adopt-A-Family program that assists families suffering extreme financial hardship through "adoption" by an individual or business. The name of the family is never revealed to the adopting person or organization and gifts are delivered by the family's case worker along with the name of the donor, if desired.