Operation Holiday Cheer benefits Team Scott families Published Dec. 12, 2008 By Christi Spargur 375th Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Scott Company Grade Officers Council, the First Sergeants Association and several on-and off-base organizations joined forces to make the holidays a little brighter for Team Scott families. Operation Holiday Cheer is an annual community service initiative coordinated by the CGOC to provide meals and toys to Scott families in need. "The holiday season is a time of joy and happiness," said 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Watson, Holiday Cheer project coordinator. "Operation Cheer takes that goodwill and applies it in a focused way to support those in need during the holidays." Operation Holiday Cheer kicks off each year with a food and toy drive. Then, CGOC members package the donations and hand them over to Scott's first sergeants for distribution. Some donations are held in reserve to help families with emergencies throughout the year. Donations to Operation Holiday Cheer come from a number of area businesses, civic groups like the Belle-Scott Committee, private organizations and patriotic citizens. "The best part of Operation Holiday Cheer is that it supports all military families in need," said Lieutenant Watson. "The campaign is the CGOC's way of making sure we take care of people always." New to the Operation Holiday Cheer campaign this year is a gift tree located in the Base Exchange. Holiday cards identifying the wishes of Team Scott children are placed on the tree. The Team Scott community can pick a card from the tree and purchase the desired gift. The gift tree will be on display until Dec. 23. For more information about the campaign, call Lieutenant Watson at 229-1103.