When I think back to my childhood holidays, I can still picture the Kansas snow dusting the ground at Fort Riley. My dad was stationed there, and though our little base housing was far from the rest of our family, my parents did everything they could to make it feel like home.

Back then, I didn’t fully understand the sacrifices my parents were making — the missed family gatherings, the late nights spent stretching every dollar, or the constant uncertainty of when orders might come again. I just remember the joy of waking up to twinkling lights and the smell of something baking in the oven. But now, as an adult, I see what it took to create that sense of magic in the middle of a military life.

Holidays for military families can be heavy — filled with love, yes, but also with distance, financial strain, and longing.

That’s why programs like the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA)’s Operation Holiday Joy mean so much. They bring the community’s compassion right to the doorsteps of those who serve, ensuring no family feels forgotten during the season of giving.

The Realities Military Families Face During the Holidays

Looking back, I realize how much my parents carried during those years. Like many military families, we were far from our support system. There were no grandparents to babysit while my mom shopped for gifts, no big family dinners filled with cousins and laughter. Just us — our little family — making the most of what we had.

Many families today face those same challenges, but with even higher costs of living. Inflation has made holiday groceries more expensive, and junior enlisted families are often already stretched thin. It’s hard to create “holiday magic” for your kids when you’re counting every penny.

The emotional weight is real, too. Parents want their children to feel excitement and stability, even when they’re missing a deployed loved one or trying to make a tight budget work.

That’s where military family support programs — like Operation Holiday Joy — become essential. They provide not just military family help, but hope, dignity, and relief.

Operation Holiday Joy: A Simple Act That Means So Much

Operation Holiday Joy was initially established as a collaboration between the Armed Services YMCA and Woman’s Day magazine to ensure that military families can truly celebrate the holidays — no matter where they’re stationed or what they’re going through. Recognizing the unique challenges service members and their loved ones face, especially during the holiday season, the program provides food assistance and holiday gifts to help bring joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to military households across the country.

The program provides holiday meals and gifts for military families who might otherwise go without. For parents, it’s a chance to breathe easier; for children, it’s a spark of excitement that brightens the whole season.

When I first learned about Operation Holiday Joy, it struck a chord. I thought of my parents at Fort Riley and how much something like this would have meant to them. A ready-to-cook holiday meal. Presents under the tree. The reassurance that someone, somewhere, understood and cared. That kind of holiday joy stays with a family long after the decorations come down.

Gifts That Go Beyond Wrapping Paper

What I love most about Operation Holiday Joy is that it’s not just about presents — it’s about presence. It’s a reminder that military families are seen, valued, and supported. Parents can focus on their children’s laughter instead of worrying about their bank account. Kids get to experience the magic of the holidays without sensing their parents’ stress.

When we talk about holiday joy, this is what we mean — lifting burdens, restoring dignity, and filling homes with light.

How You Can Be Part of the Joy

This Giving Tuesday, your support can triple the joy. Thanks to a special triple match opportunity available today only, every dollar you give goes three times as far to support military families.
Here’s how you can help:

• • Donate: Even a small amount can make a big difference for a family in need.

• Volunteer: Help sort, pack, or distribute meals and toys through your local ASYMCA.
• Spread the word: Share Operation Holiday Joy with friends, coworkers, and on social media to expand its reach.

Each act of kindness adds up — and together, we create the kind of holiday magic every military family deserves.

Let’s Spread Some Holiday Joy, Together

The older I get, the more I realize how special those Fort Riley holidays truly were. My parents built joy out of scarcity, love out of distance, and memories that still warm my heart today.

That’s the power of Operation Holiday Joy — it gives families like mine the tools to do the same. It helps turn a season that could feel lonely into one filled with connection, warmth, and gratitude.

So this year, I invite you to help spread that joy. Donate, volunteer, or share the story of Operation Holiday Joy. Because when we come together for our military families, we create something far greater than gifts — we create hope.

Donate now and triple your impact this Giving Tuesday. Help bring joy, dignity, and comfort to military families across the country.

3X Your Impact