“Acts 17:26 says, ‘Of one blood God made all people, to live together on the face of the earth.’ So we can be brothers and sisters because we are one blood; we are the human race. And I believe if my uncle were here today, he’d like for us to consider ourselves as human beings, not different races. One race, colorblind…” -Alveda King

You too can be ones of Santa’s Christmas Elves and Report for Duty for America’s 1# Christmas Drive “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families”! Help bring local community based support for America’s Best and their Families this 2018 Christmas Season!

Contact Santa’s Elves at Info@YellowRibbonAmerica.org to learn how YOU can Help Support Your Local Military Units and their families this Christmas!

“Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” is a community outreach project of Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation and proudly supported by the Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign for America’s Military members and their families. Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation is a California public benefit nonprofit corporation, with tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN: 46-4762128.

Merry Christmas!

North Pole South / FOB Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, CA: On December 8, 2018 Santa’s Elves, with “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” had the wonderful opportunity to once again deliver Toy’s to the MP Soldier’s and at the Main Gate of the JFTB Los Alamitos Base for their families of  the California Army National Guard!

You too can be ones of Santa’s Christmas Elves and Report for Duty for America’s 1# Christmas Drive “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families”! Help bring local community based support for America’s Best and their Families this 2018 Christmas Season!

Contact Santa’s Elves at Info@YellowRibbonAmerica.org to learn how YOU can Help Support Your Local Military Units and their families this Christmas!

“Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” is a community outreach project of Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation and proudly supported by the Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign for America’s Military members and their families. Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation is a California public benefit nonprofit corporation, with tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN: 46-4762128.

Merry Christmas!

North Pole South / FOB: U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Center, Garden Grove, CA:-On December 8, 2018 “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” gave fun and helpful Unit Christmas Party Support to the wonderful Soldiers and families of the 109th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services, United States Army Reserve.” Read below…

“Thank you so much for your time and efforts for helping us fund our Unit Christmas party. (This was our first one in years from what I heard since I took the position as the Training /Operations NCO here) So this was a truly different and memorable experience for the Soldiers and their families.

With the help of the “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families, Our Nations Heroes Foundation and the Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign, we were able to fund for 30 Soldiers’ plus their families meals! SGT Tonya Tran, Training /Operations NCO, 109th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services, United States Army Reserve.”

You too can be ones of Santa’s Christmas Elves and Report for Duty for America’s 1# Christmas Drive “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families”! Help bring local community based support for America’s Best and their Families this 2018 Christmas Season!

Contact Santa’s Elves at Info@YellowRibbonAmerica.org to learn how YOU can Help Support Your Local Military Units and their families this Christmas!

“Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” is a community outreach project of Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation and proudly supported by the Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign for America’s Military members and their families. Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation is a California public benefit nonprofit corporation, with tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN: 46-4762128.

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Merry Christmas!

The first time the birth of Jesus Christ was attributed to the date December 25 was in the 4th century, according to early Roman history. Early celebrations of Christmas are thought to have derived from Roman and other European festivals that marked the end of the harvest, and the winter solstice.

Some customs from those celebrations that have endured include decorating homes with greenery, giving gifts, singing songs, and eating special foods.

The holiday developed further with the legend of St. Nicholas. Although much of his history is unconfirmed, the man who became St. Nicholas lived in the 4th century and is believed to have been a bishop in Asia Minor.

Many miracles are attributed to him and some countries named him their patron saint. He also is considered the patron saint of, among others, children (for protecting them), sailors (whom he reputedly saved at sea), and the poor (to whom he generously gave gifts).

In his honor, the Feast of St. Nicholas was marked on December 6 and gifts given the night before. The tradition was well established in many European countries by the 12th century. Eventually, because St. Nicholas’ Day and Christmas Day are so close together, their traditions generally were combined.

St. Nicholas took on different personas in different countries. For example, The Netherlands have Sinter Klaas; Father Christmas gives gifts in Great Britain; Père Noël does the same in France; and in Germany St. Nicholas has had many names including Klaasbuur, Burklaas, Rauklas, Bullerklaas, and Sunnercla, although Father Christmas is becoming more popular. In the United States, the Dutch settlers’ Sinter Klaas evolved into Santa Claus.

Other Christmas info:

• The Story of Jesus Christ’s birth is told in New Testament’s gospel of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew.
• Some Christians celebrate Jesus Christ’s coming on January 6, the Epiphany, when they believe he was baptized.
• The song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” refers to the 12 days between Christmas and the Epiphany.
• The word Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes maesse, which means Christ’s mass.
• The word X-mas is sometimes used instead of Christmas. In Greek, X-is the first letter of Christ’s name.
• The German word Christkindl, which means Christ child, eventually turned into Kriss Kringle.
• Santa Claus generally was depicted as an elf until 1931, when Coca-Cola ads portrayed him as human-sized.
• Rudolph didn’t become Santa’s ninth reindeer until 1939 when an advertising writer for the department store Montgomery Ward created him.

Sources: Encarta 96 Encyclopedia, World Book, Encyclopedia Brittanica

December 9, 2018

MEDIA ADVISORY

Orange County, California: Known for its beautiful Beaches, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm. Orange County, California recognizes its local grassroots community outreach effort and Annual Christmas Drive for our Nations Military and their families. Led by Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors Andrew Do the OC Board in a 5-0 unanimous vote once again Recognizes and passes a Special Christmas Resolution for Orange County’s, California home based “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families”…

“Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families”

By the authority of the Orange County Board Supervisors the following proclamation is hereby issued:

WHEREAS, thousands of American men and women are stationed at locations around the world in service to our country, and whether it be as operational support or in facing combat, each of them is fighting for and defending our freedom; and

WHEREAS, it is very difficult for military families when their loved one is deployed as these family members must manage the daily routine that continues in the absence of their loved ones while they also cope with their concern for their well-being and anxiously await their safe return; and

WHEREAS, Now in it’s 14 Year Anniversary; Yellow Ribbon America’s and Our Nations Heroes Foundation’s “Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” has mobilized its annual grassroots effort  to help deliver Christmas support to America’s local military Units and their families; and

WHEREAS, The effort, which supports the National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty deployed and at home military Units and their families, began in November 2004 and has grown every year since is now the largest community based Christmas Holiday support effort for both our Nation’s military Units and their families; and

WHEREAS, The growth of Operation Christmas for Our Troops & Their Families has expanded operations which now includes a special Ulitimate Military Unit Christmas Party for America’s Mlitary & their families at Knotts Berry Farm located in Buena Park, California; and

WHEREAS, Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign & Our Nations Heroes Foundation remains dedicated to serving our nation’s Military and now hosts dozens of Christmas drive drop off locations around Orange County and even more around California and the rest of the United States for continual support for our Military and their families;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT Resolved That The Orange County Board Of Supervisors do hereby congratulate and thank Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign and Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation for its service to the residents of Orange County and the efforts they make to improve the lives of United States Military Men and Women and their Families.

Dated this 9th day in December, 2018

“Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families” is a community outreach project of Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation and proudly supported by the Yellow Ribbon America News & Campaign for America’s Military members and their families. Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation is a California public benefit nonprofit corporation, with tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN: 46-4762128.