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Lakehurst Navy Officers Help to Provide a Very Happy Holiday

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst continues annual holiday charity program for 36th year

 

Naval personnel from the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst recently came together to support their annual Holiday gift giving program, “The Navy Lakehurst Giving Tree”, for its 36th consecutive year.

When the program started in the 1970s, it originally had underprivileged children from local Head-Start programs attend a Holiday Party hosted by Santa Claus at the naval base’s theater. When the theater was torn down just over two decades later, the event continued by instead bringing Santa to local schools to deliver gifts.

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“For many of these children, it is the only gift they receive during the Holiday Season,” reported Thomas Worsdale and Lawrence Lyford, NAVAIR Lakehurst Public Affairs Officers at the Joint Base.  

This year, three Head-Start schools in Manchester, Toms River and Berkeley were visited by Santa Claus and the sailors who helped him load his sleigh. Due to the generosity of the Lakehurst civilians, sailors and families, 216 gifts were distributed to the children, ranging in age from 3-5.

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“We start collecting gifts shortly after Thanksgiving through volunteers who get the word out around Lakehurst,” said Worsdale, who acts as program coordinator. “I am amazed at the personal generosity displayed each year. The quality of the gifts, the care everyone takes in wrapping their presents, even the small details like ensuring batteries are included for toys clearly demonstrates the commitment and pride our employees and sailors take in making this program such a long-standing success and tradition.”

Monique Goncalves, Director of Manchester’s Head-Start Program, agreed. “These children and their families really appreciate what the people from the base do to make their Holidays special and we thank them all for their continued care and support,” Goncalves commented.

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