‘Frosty Warrior’ assists deployed troops

Operation Frosty Warrior, hosted by the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska, aims to provide holiday gifts to all the service members deployed from Alaska.

“These packages are shipped all over the world, to everyone deployed from [Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson] with a bulk of the troops from [4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division],” said Garry Berry, ASYMCA of Alaska associate executive director. “This is our largest one in the last few years, and other than us buying the boxes, everything was donated – from the gifts to the time.”

The volunteerism ranged from monetary donations to boxing parties. Through the ASYMCA website, individuals could donate $50 to pay for an entire package; gift, box and shipping. Even though the goal was 3,100 packages, there were only around 2,700 troops deployed, so by the end of November the ASYMCA was able to create a package for every deployed military member.

“Since starting this [year’s] project in July, we were all a little apprehensive over the sheer number of boxes to ship -- shipping 3,100 empty boxes costs like $50,000, and there’s like $30 to $40 of products in every box so that is a huge undertaking,” said Sarah Riffer, ASYMCA of Alaska executive director. “In November, [we] hit the goal of having every box paid [for] including shipping.

“This program is huge, so every person, corporation and dollar mattered in the final success of this program,” Riffer said. “To have the community support, is incredible. This year has been more than a success.”

Packages contained snacks, books, knick-knacks and just about anything that can go through customs, Berry said.

Additionally, children from local schools and child development centers wrote notes and drew pictures for these care packages as well.

“I had to stop reading all the cards that came out of our community schools – some of them Catholic and private schools,” Riffer said. “I had to stop because they were making me tear up. The thought-felt messages these kids wrote – some of these kids had deployed parents so they would write stuff like ‘If you see my dad, say hi;’ and it was really sweet.”

The donation window closed Nov. 22 and the last package was sent Dec. 4.

Even though this program concluded, the ASYMCA supports the troops year-round; donations will continue to fund their headquarters, future plans and constant programs such as the Y on Wheels and Teddy’s Child Watch.

“We want our families to know that this is just one of the 30 programs statewide,” Riffer said. “We are not a Christmas-only organization; we operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year, and we want to help our military leadership fill in the gaps to enhance the lives of our Alaska warriors.”

This program would not be able to happen without the help of the ASYMCA’s major sponsors, volunteer groups and individuals throughout Alaska, Riffer said.