Rain-laden skies could not dampen the spirit of the Soldiers on Fort Bragg
as they jumped out of airplanes over Sicily drop zone in support of the 16th
Annual Randy Oler Operation Toy Drop, Dec. 7.
The toy drop is a tradition at Fort Bragg sponsored by U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), or USACAPOC (A). Nearly 3,500 jumpers from the U.S. and nine other countries supported the charity event that coincided with the beginning of Special Operations Forces week. "Over the years what started as a very small event where one Soldier who wanted to collect toys to give to his community to show his appreciation, has grown into this major operation that covers almost a full week and involves thousands of Soldiers and, in the end, distributes anywhere from 10-15,000 toys," said Lt. Col. Annmarie Daneker, the USACAPOC (A) public affairs officer. "It was his idea, his spirit and his intent to continue on every year." Operation Toy Drop is a week-long affair that started in 1998 by then-Staff Sgt. Randy Oler, who was a U.S. Army Special Operations Command Soldier when USACAPOC (A) was part of that organization. He wanted to incorporate airborne operations, foreign military jumpmasters and local charities to provide toys to children in need. Oler died in 2004, but the command continued the tradition.
The toy drop is a tradition at Fort Bragg sponsored by U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), or USACAPOC (A). Nearly 3,500 jumpers from the U.S. and nine other countries supported the charity event that coincided with the beginning of Special Operations Forces week. "Over the years what started as a very small event where one Soldier who wanted to collect toys to give to his community to show his appreciation, has grown into this major operation that covers almost a full week and involves thousands of Soldiers and, in the end, distributes anywhere from 10-15,000 toys," said Lt. Col. Annmarie Daneker, the USACAPOC (A) public affairs officer. "It was his idea, his spirit and his intent to continue on every year." Operation Toy Drop is a week-long affair that started in 1998 by then-Staff Sgt. Randy Oler, who was a U.S. Army Special Operations Command Soldier when USACAPOC (A) was part of that organization. He wanted to incorporate airborne operations, foreign military jumpmasters and local charities to provide toys to children in need. Oler died in 2004, but the command continued the tradition.
Written by Mark
Tate, USASOC
Retrieved 12 Dec 2013
http://www.army.mil/article/116759/Gifts_from_above_as_Operation_Toy_Drop_continues_for_16th_year/
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