LT. GOV. WYMAN, NATL. GUARD LAUNCH 2012 OPERATION ELF

HOLIDAY DONATION DRIVE FOR MILITARY TROOPS AND FAMILIES

Goal to Assist More than 1,200 Family Members of Deployed Troops

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and the Connecticut National Guard today announced the launch of the 10th annual Operation ELF program that supports families of Soldiers and Airmen who have recently been deployed overseas or returned home.

More than 700 Connecticut National Guard troops are currently serving in Afghanistan and other locations in Southwest Asia. They have left behind more than 1,200 family members, including more than 400 school-age children.

Operation ELF's goal is to provide the families with toys, gift cards from grocery and department stores, cash, donations of fuel oil and services such as snow removal.

"Deployment for these brave men and women means many months away from their homes, their families and their jobs," Lt. Gov. Wyman said. "I believe it is our obligation to honor that sacrifice by supporting them and their families when they are gone and when they return. I especially urge the corporate and business community to step up and not only make a real difference in the lives of those left behind, but give peace of mind to our troops overseas."

Toys will be given to children affected by deployment during a holiday party scheduled for Dec. 15 at the William A. O'Neill Armory. Donations may be dropped off at National Guard Armories statewide.

Operation ELF can be reached at: (800) 858-2677. More information is available at Facebook.com/connecticutoperationelf and Facebook.com/connecticutnationalguard.

Donations may be dropped off at the following armories through Monday, December 10, 2012 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. at:

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT 06105

Website: www.ctngfoundation.org

Within ELF is t he 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.

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that was established in April of 2003 for the purpose of providing emergency financial assistance for Connecticut National Guard members and their families. All donations are fully tax-deductible.