Holiday Cards: Being away from family is especially painful during the holiday season. For a young boy named Oliver Young, missing his father during Christmas was not easy.
Instead of feeling helpless, Oliver decided to do something kind that brought happiness to many soldiers serving far away from home. His thoughtful idea turned into a powerful moment of love, care, and community support.
A Long Separation from Dad
Holiday Cards: Oliver Young is only seven years old, but he understands what it means to have a parent serving in the military. His father, Sergeant First Class Robert Young, has been deployed to Syria for the past seven months as part of his National Guard duty.
This is not the first time Oliver has experienced this situation. It is his father’s second deployment since Oliver was born and the third deployment during his 20 years of service in the Iowa Army National Guard.
Even though Oliver’s dad tries to call him twice a day, it is not always easy. There is a nine-hour time difference between them. Many times, his father calls when Oliver is asleep or at school. Because of this, they do not get to talk as often as they would like.
Oliver shared that it feels hard not being able to talk to his dad regularly, especially when he misses him the most.
Holidays Bring Mixed Feelings
For Oliver and his mother, Kelly, the holiday season marked the halfway point of the deployment. While some families were preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas together, their family was still waiting for the day they could reunite.
Instead of letting sadness take over, Oliver decided to turn the holidays into a time of giving. He wanted to make sure his dad and all the soldiers serving with him felt remembered and cared for.
A Kind Idea Turns into a Big Mission
Oliver came up with a simple but powerful idea. He wanted to send holiday cards and snacks to his dad’s entire National Guard unit. His goal was to make sure that every soldier received something special during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
With help from his mom and grandmother, Oliver reached out to people in his community. They asked for support at their local church, library, and nearby businesses. People were invited to sign cards or donate money so treats could be purchased.
The response from the community was overwhelming. Many people wanted to help Oliver spread joy to soldiers who were far away from their families.
Cards, Treats, and Community Support
Thanks to the generosity of the community, Oliver’s project grew much larger than expected. Hundreds of people signed cards, and donations helped buy thousands of snacks.
Below is a simple table showing what was sent to the soldiers:
| Item | Total Sent |
|---|---|
| Holiday Cards | 600 cards |
| Snacks & Treats | 3,800 items |
| Total Money Raised | $2,100 |
| Gifts per Soldier | Two care packages |
Each soldier in the unit received two gift bags, one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.
A Big Surprise at the Military Base
When the packages arrived at the military base in Syria, the soldiers were shocked. There were so many boxes that they had to use a utility vehicle to transport all the mail. The gifts filled an entire room.
As the care packages were handed out, the soldiers were surprised not only by the number of items, but by the kindness behind them. Some soldiers who had not received mail in a long time were given extra snacks so no one felt left out.
Smiles Across the Unit
Oliver felt proud knowing that his idea brought happiness to his dad and the other soldiers. He said it made him feel good to know that people back home care about them.
His mother thanked everyone who helped make the project possible. She said the kindness shown by the community meant a lot to their family and to the soldiers serving overseas.
When Oliver was asked what message he wanted to send to the soldiers, he smiled shyly and said, “Merry Christmas, soldiers.”
This heartwarming story shows how even a small act of kindness can make a big difference. Oliver’s love for his father inspired an entire community to come together and support soldiers far from home. His effort reminded them that they are not forgotten and that people are thinking of them during the holidays.
It also shows that age does not matter when it comes to spreading kindness. Through cards, snacks, and simple words, Oliver helped bring comfort and joy to those serving their country, one holiday package at a time.
FAQs
Why was Oliver’s father deployed to Syria?
Oliver’s father was deployed as part of his National Guard service and military duties.
How many cards and treats were sent to the soldiers?
Oliver and his community sent 600 holiday cards and nearly 4,000 snacks.
Who helped Oliver with this project?
Local community members, churches, libraries, and businesses helped by donating money and signing cards.
Source: DanKaminisky
Source Link: https://dankaminsky.com/boy-send-holiday-cards-treats-national-guard-syria/