Community Corner

State Launches Program to Play ELF for Military Families

The program, overseen by Lt. Gov Nancy Wyman, seeks donations to assist families of deployed service men and women.

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and the Connecticut National Guard have launched the ninth annual Operation ELF program that supports families of Soldiers and Airmen who have been deployed overseas.

More than 120 Connecticut National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are currently serving in Southwest Asia and 600 more are expected to deploy and return home between now and next spring – affecting more than 1,000 family members. 

“While these men and women are protecting our freedom, their loved ones still have to find ways to keep paying the bills and take care of their families,” Wyman said.  “Donations of toys, cash or gift cards will make a real difference in the lives of those left behind and give peace of mind to our military men and women overseas.”

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Donations of new, unwrapped toys and grocery and department store gift cards are particularly being sought. Many of the toys that are collected will be distributed to children affected by deployment during a holiday party scheduled for Dec. 17 at the William A. O’Neill Armory in Hartford.

Officials with Operation ELF can be reached at 800-858-2677. Donations may be dropped off at the following armories through Monday, December 12, 2011 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

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  • Army Aviation Support Facility at Bradley International Airport, Route 75, Windsor Locks
  • William A. O’Neill Armory, 360 Broad St., Hartford
  • Waterbury Armory, 64 Field St., Waterbury
  • New London Armory, 249 Bayonet St., New London                                  
  • Stratford Armory, 63 Armory Road, Stratford
  • Norwich Armory, 38 Stott Ave., Norwich

Gift cards may also be mailed to Connecticut National Guard Office of Family Programs, 360 Broad St., Hartford.

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. Donations to the foundation can be sent to:

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc., 360 Broad St., Hartford.

Within ELF is the 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 caseworker along with the name of the donor, if desired.


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