Hundreds of military families received gifts this week during the Santa’s Workshop and Secret Santa holiday events hosted by the Armed Services Young Men’s Christian Association (ASYMCA) Camp Pendleton, at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 11-13, 2018.

Both events resulted in donated gifts to over 600 families this Christmas in an effort to add a little holiday cheer for their children.

“The whole goal of the event is to make sure that all military families on Camp Pendleton don’t go without gifts”, said Samantha Holt, executive director, ASYMCA. “The best part is working with the community members, they want to do whatever it takes to support those who defend us. Secret Santa originated years ago when we started to notice that military families during the holiday season needed help, and that on the opposing side of that, a lot of the community wanted to help our military families.”

The many, the holidays are an amazing time to experience the luxury of being able to slow down, take some time off and spend the season with those we hold dear. It is a time filled with joy, great food, and most importantly, a rewarding opportunity to give back to the families that serve our country.

“Being a military family, you don’t always have the time to be with your kids for every holiday,” said Sgt. Hydeivis Herrera, an admin clerk with Alpha Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion. “So being around your kids’ happiness and that childlike wonder is beautiful.”

Herrera is a single mother of four who is transitioning out of the military and is hoping to go to school in Texas to become a social worker with aspirations to help out other families like hers. Herrera participated in the Secret Santa event and was able to receive gifts for all four of her children.

“This event has been a blessing providing my little ones with a happy Christmas,” said Herrera. “I’m in the process of relocating to a completely new state by myself with them, and I needed to figure out how I was going to make Christmas happen and this event just went above and beyond my expectations.”

For more information on all programs, services, events and volunteer opportunities call the ASYMCA office at 760-385-4921 or visit their website at www.asymca.org/camp-pendleton