History of Ft. Riley’s Operation Santa
Operation Santa Claus, colloquially known as Op Santa, started in 1984 with a group of Soldiers, restricted to Camp Funston, serving punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). While serving their UCMJ punishments, Soldiers were ordered to perform numerous hard labor and trash pick-up assignments in and around Fort Riley. It was during one of these trash pick-up assignments that Soldiers conjured the idea to refurbish old toys to donate them to children during the holidays. Soldiers began to collect disregarded toys from around the base, bringing them back to Camp Funston, fixing the toys, and giving them back to children from the community. This act of selfless service, personal courage, integrity, and respect by a group of Soldiers under UCMJ was seen as a true testament to what it is to live the Army values. Op Santa has become an integral part of the Ft. Riley community as every Commanding General have sponsored the program, integrating it into their morale, welfare, and recreational strategy for all Ft. Riley Soldiers.
During our 38 years of service to Ft. Riley, over 40,000 Children participated in the program and helped over 10,000 families in need. In the last six years, we gave toys to 5,400 children, bringing the gift of a merry Christmas to over 2,400 Ft. Riley families, totaling in $42,000 in donations. Qualified Soldiers can visit us and shop for two brand new toys, a book, a Christmas stocking, and stocking stuffers for each child. Along with a family puzzle or a board game to promote family time and a sense of togetherness among service members and their families.
Since its inception, Operation Santa Claus has gone through different formalization periods. Today Op Santa is a program under the Armed Forces Community Foundation assisting families who may be facing financial difficulties during the holiday season by providing new toys or gift cards for children from birth to age 18 at no cost to the Soldiers.