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Programs to Help Military Families During the Holidays

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By Kaylah Jackson – Entercom ConnectingVets.com

104th Fighter Wing families participate in games and festivities at a children’s holiday party Dec. 2, 2018, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The Airmen spent time with their families and thanked them for their continuous support. The children were provided with the opportunity to talk to Mrs. Clause before the arrival of Santa Clause in a 104FW F-15. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Airman Basic Sara Kolinski)

While for many the holiday season remains a joyful time to spend with family and friends, it can also be stressful. Purchasing gifts, entertaining, even arranging travel can sometimes ruin holiday cheer. This holds true for many military families as well.

If you’re interested in helping a family in need this year, or if you are part of a military family yourself that needs assistance, check out this list of organizations.

Trees for Troops

“Delivering the spirit of Christmas to military families—one Christmas Tree at a time.” Through generous donations, Trees for Troops provide free trees for military families all over the country. Last year, the organization donated and deliver over 17,400 Christmas Trees to 70 military bases and 250 trees to four international bases.

Toys for Tots

Since 1947, the Marine Toys for Tots Program has distributed 548 million toys to date. Through the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, less fortunate children  receive toys during the Christmas season.

Pay Away the Layaway

Through donations from “Layaway Angels,” the organization travels throughout the country during Back to School and Holiday seasons to help families by pay off their layaway balance which often include gifts for children like books, toys, and backpacks.

Operation Holiday Joy

Junior enlisted military families have been able to enjoy over 320,000 toys and over 25,000 baskets of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas thanks to generous donations toward Operation Holiday Joy. Find your local YMCA branch here.

Operation Homefront

While the organization has multiple initiatives throughout the year to support the military, during this time of year, Holiday Meals for Military and the Holiday Toy Drive are in full swing. Military families can register for the various distribution events throughout the year. Meal kits include turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and vegetables. Follow Operation Homefront’s Facebook page to learn about the dates of their toy drive and how you can receive or donate to a military family.

Want to get more connected to the great stories and resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here and sign up for the weekly newsletter from Entercom’s ConnectingVets.com

Holiday Lights – Where To See Them in San Diego

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There are great Holiday displays of Light all over San Diego.  We picked a few from North, South, East, and West to feature.  Where is your favorite place to see Christmas Lights in San Diego?

North County Coastal

San Diego Botanic Garden – 125,000+ lights illuminate the Garden.  Holiday crafts, visits with Santa, marshmallow roasting and more. Dec. 1-23 and 26-30, 5-8:30 pm. – sdbgarden.org

Carlsbad – Holidays at Legoland California – Experience the magic of the holidays with music, twinkling lights and a 30-ft LEGO Christmas Tree. Enjoy live entertainment, a holiday light show and character meet and greets at the Holiday Village. Nov. 17-Dec. 31. legoland.com

Oceanside – Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights – Boats decorated in holiday lights circle Oceanside Harbor. Dec. 8, 7 pm – oceansideyc.net

North County Inland

Carmel Mountain Ranch – Fairway Village, east and west sides of Stoney Gate Pl. 100+ homes decorated in “Holiday Magic.” Dec. 15-Jan.1, 5:30-10:30 pm.

Poway – Hickory Ct.,Hickory St., Butterwood Ct., Rockrose Ct. All off Twin Peaks Rd. & Silverset St. named “Candy Cane Lane.” Entire cul-de-sacs are lit up. Dec. 8-24, 6-9 pm.

South Bay

Coronado – Hotel del Coronado Celebrate “A Christmas Legend” as this California gem transforms into a winter wonderland with Skating by the Sea, jingle s’mores, Polar Bear Tea, Santa Brunches, holiday parties and lavish feasts. From soaring red turrets decked in thousands of white lights to a Victorian lobby dressed in holiday splendor, visitors of all ages delight in the best West Coast winter. 1500 Orange Ave. 619-522-8490. hoteldel.com

Chula Vista – Whitney St./Mankato. Circle between First and Second Ave. off H St. & 1st Ave. “Christmas Circle.” 61st year of decorating 55+ homes. Dec. 8-26, 5-10 pm.

East County San Diego

El Cajon – Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th, 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun, 6-10 pm.

San Diego Central

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo.  The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and activities to keep the whole family jolly. Seasonal decorations, animal experiences, costumed characters, live entertainment and more. Dec. 14-Jan. 6, 9 am-8 pm (until 5 pm Dec. 24). Free with Zoo admission. 619-231-1515. sandiegozoo.org

Clairemont Mesa – Lana Dr. & Jamar. Off Mt. Abernathy Ave. Circular street. “Clairemont Christmas Park”. 40+ homes decorated. Dec. 1-25.

San Diego Coastal

Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. Over 100 vessels. Begins on Quivira Basin. Dec. 8, starts at 6 pm. 858-488-0501. mbyc.org

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.  SeaWorld is decked out with more than a million holiday lights and a 40-ft. tree with an animated light show. Also visit Rudolph’s Christmastown, check out holiday-themed animal shows such as Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special, Dolphin Island Christmas and O Wondrous Night, a living nativity performed nightly under the stars, told through the eyes of the animals. New this year is Rudolph’s Movie Experience featuring special effects such as snowfall and the aroma of hot chocolate-daily in the park’s Mission Bay Theater. Nov. 17-Jan. 6.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. 47th Anniversary. “Tropical Island Christmas” theme. Dec. 9 & 16, 5 pm. Starts off Shelter Island, goes through the harbor and ends at the Ferry Landing, Coronado. sdparadeoflights.org

Kids’ New Years Eve at LEGOLAND

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LEGOLAND California re-creates the Times Square ball drop with a giant LEGO brick falling 22 feet in the air at San Diego’s largest Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party!

Join in the festivities with party hats and special glasses for viewing fireworks. The party concludes just in time for our countdown at 6:00 PM with a fireworks display illuminating the sky and providing a great ending to an amazing year.

Pajama Jam: Family New Year’s Party

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The New Children’s Museum downtown is getting ready to celebrate two milestones in 2018: their 35th anniversary in San Diego and their 10th birthday as The NEW Children’s Museum, a new model of children’s museum using contemporary art to inspire imagination and creativity.

On December 30, the Museum is kicking off their celebratory year with Pajama Jam, a new year’s party for the whole family.

Starts at 5:30pm!

 

Port Of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade

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The scenic, bayside streets of downtown San Diego will come alive with the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by National Funding. As always, this exciting family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams, and a procession of enormous balloons – more than any other parade. Over 100,000 street-side spectators will enjoy the parade along with a nationwide television audience.

Street-side viewing of the parade is free of charge.

Starts at 9:45 am Sharp!

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