‘Operation Ride Home’ aims to help junior troops for holidays

Starting this year, junior-enlisted service members in Alaska can participate in Operation Ride Home.

The Alaska Armed Services YMCA is now offering the option to participate in the campaign, which provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military members and their families for travel from their place of military service to their ‘home’ for the holidays.

“This is the first year that the Operation Ride Home campaign has been offered in Alaska,” said Sarah Riffer, executive director with the Alaska ASYMCA. “We are excited to begin helping deserving service members reach their family and loved ones for the holidays.”

Operation Ride Home began in 2011 as a way for eligible service members and their families to receive funding towards travel.

“I find Operation Ride Home important for the morale of arctic warriors, and it allows the opportunity for service members to see their families who may not have been able to otherwise,” Riffer said. “It provides the ASYMCA with a convenient way to honor them.”

The ASYMCA states reconnecting military families during the holidays is one way to strengthen military families. Strengthening the bonds between military families can improve the welfare, wellbeing and morale of service members.

The program allows approved members travel assistance pay of up to $400 per family member. Participants are determined and prioritized based on financial need; those interested in the program must complete an application and submit a video testimonial.

Family members can also apply if their service member is deployed or otherwise prevented from traveling because of military duty. Commanders will help choose the beneficiaries.

According to the ASYMCA website, since 2011 the campaign has helped 5,700 troops and families.

“We are hoping to expand the amount of accepted participants in the upcoming years,” Riffer said. “Through more applicants and social media, we will be able to receive more funding from the Operation Ride Home sponsors.”

This year, the Alaska ASYMCA has enough funding for 20 applicants.

“We don’t want service members to have missed opportunities to see family and loved ones during the holidays,” Riffer said.

For service members and their families, there’s no place like home during the holidays and the Operation Ride Home program helps. For more information on eligibility and travel assistance, visit asymca.org/opridehome or contact the Alaska ASYMCA at 552-8469.