ASYMCA has been proud to partner with Woman’s Day magazine for the past four years to sponsor Operation Holiday Joy, a holiday drive benefiting military families in need.  Each year the drive allows Americans to show their appreciation for our men and women in uniform by brightening their families’ holidays with toys and holiday food baskets. Over the past four years, the ASYMCA/Woman’s Day drive has resulted in contributions totaling more than $720,000 from over 6,900 generous donors.

Click here to read about Operation Holiday Joy.

Click here to watch a public service announcement on Operation Holiday Joy

Although it is important to recognize the sacrifices of military families during the holidays, when it is especially difficult for these families to be without their deployed loved ones, this support must continue throughout the year. You can help by making a financial contribution, or by volunteering your time to help mentor, tutor, or provide general administrative services if you live near an ASYMCA branch. Contact your local ASYMCA branch or ASYMCA’s national headquarters in Alexandria, Va. to find out how you can make a difference.

Letters in response to the holiday drive:

“I wanted to thank your organization for its thoughtfulness and generosity. Our four-year-old daughter recently received a toy as part of the Gifts in Kind drive which the Armed Services YMCA sponsored with Mattel Children’s Foundation and Woman’s Day magazine. As a parent, I appreciate the care and concern you have shown for our children. On behalf of my family and the others in our unit, thank you for all your efforts and support.”

“Let me take this opportunity to extend our sincerest thank you on behalf of the families of the 834th Combat Engineers Iowa Army National Guard. Christmas will be much brighter this year thanks to the toys I received this morning from Mattel and Gifts in Kind. These toys will go a long way to help ease the burden of our deployed soldiers’ families this holiday season. Once again, our sincerest thank you!”

“On behalf of the 200 families of the New York Army National Guard 642nd Military Intelligence Battalion, please accept this ‘thank you’ and holiday ‘hooah!’ Our unit received a shipment of toys via the Gifts in Kind program supported by Mattel, Woman’s Day magazine and the Armed Services YMCA. My husband is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am very proud to be a military spouse and am blessed that my husband represents this country through his service. I was touched by this effort to remember the families of those who serve our nation. It is a comfort to have so many organizations dedicated to assisting families of soldiers. Thank you for giving a gift that was so much more than a toy.”

“I just wanted to say thank you for the Christmas presents and the gift certificate.  It really helped to make our Christmas better. God bless!”

“I just want to thank all of you for all the gifts. I know my boys are going to be so excited. Thank you so much.”

“I would like to thank everyone who helped me out and my family! Merry Christmas and God bless.”

“I would like to thank the team of great volunteers and all the people that donated all of the great gifts.  I went this morning and everyone was so nice and caring. It was nice not to feel uncomfortable with being a family in need. Words can't tell how much we appreciate everything we received. I really just wanted to say thank you again.”

“I want to thank everyone for the gifts that I was able to receive from you guys.”

“Today I really want to thank the ASYMCA for making it possible for my family to receive these gifts.”