Program Provides Millions of Dollars Worth of Toys for Military Children in Need

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Oct. 16, 2009 -- All across the nation, military families face long deployments and the possibility that one or more parents will be overseas during the winter holidays. Even worse, the challenging economy and the strains caused by repeated deployments will leave many military families making tough choices when it comes time to buy presents for their children this holiday season. Fortunately, Operation Homefront's annual holiday toy drive, which provides millions of dollars' worth of toys to the children of deployed military personnel, is stepping up to help.

The annual program launched at an event held October 16, 2009, in San Antonio. Organized by Operation Homefront and Kids in Distressed Situation (K.I.D.S.), a national non-profit providing new children's products to community charities across the country, the event was attended by wounded warriors and families served by Operation Homefront. In addition, Santa made a special appearance as he filled his sleigh in preparation for a busy holiday season. "America needs a strong military, and strong families form the basis of a strong military," said Operation Homefront President and CEO Jim Knotts. "Operation Homefront is privileged and honored to serve our troops and their families, particularly during such challenging times. In addition, we applaud Kids in Distressed Situations, the Toy Industry Foundation, the customers of Dollar Tree, and all those who so generously help military children in need during the holiday season."

"The Toy Industry Foundation is committed to putting smiles on the faces of children whose family members are serving at home and abroad," said Jean Butler, the Foundation's Executive Director. "On behalf of the entire toy industry, we're proud to be able to contribute brand new toys from the recent Fall Toy Preview exhibit to share the gift of play with those who need it most this holiday season."

"There is often great support for our military families among the general public, but they may not know that a family living on the wages of an enlisted soldier could be considered poor, scraping by to make ends meet," said K.I.D.S. President Janice Weinman. "These donated toys and others are desperately needed to bring some joy to children living with the fear that their mothers or fathers may not come home after a tour of duty."

Those wishing to contribute toys or other holiday items may contact Operation Homefront at 210-659-7756 for additional information.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide, and has met more than 105,000 needs of military families. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit www.operationhomefront.net and www.homefrontonline.com.

About the Toy Industry Foundation

The Toy Industry Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy, comfort, and learning to children in need through toys and play. While other organizations provide food, shelter and support services to children and their families, TIF sees to it that these children have toys and opportunities to play in an attempt to restore both fun and a sense of normalcy to their lives. The Foundation currently fulfills its mission through core programs including The Toy Bank(TM), public education initiatives, and grants to organizations whose missions are in line with that of the Toy Industry Foundation. For more information visit www.toyindustryfoundation.org.

About Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.)

K.I.D.S. brings hope and self-esteem to more than 4 million children and their families each year by providing new clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books and juvenile products donated by leading manufacturers and retailers. The donations move through a network of nearly 1,000 local community social service agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The organization's efforts reach children who are challenged by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, low literacy, military family service, major illness, incarcerated family members and disaster survival. More information about donating new children's clothes, shoes, books, toys and other products is available online at http://www.KIDSdonations.org.