Christmas Gifts Come Early For Soldiers, Families

Holiday and Christmas gift ideas don't necessarily have to do with material and expensive gadgets, iPods or iPhones. They can be related to caring and remembrances as well. The children and spouses of the North Carolina National Guard Special Troops Battalion are ushering in the holiday season at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, this Saturday, December 5.

The Museum is waving the admission fee and is providing space for the group to host its annual holiday celebration. Organizers have planned a very special program and are hoping to talk via live feed to their loved ones overseas. Families from across North Carolina are coming to Durham to celebrate the occasion.

“We are thrilled to host the Battalions holiday celebration at the Museum. It is the least we can do for the spouses and children of the deployed soldiers, since they sacrifice so much for the safety of all of us,” says Taneka Bennett, the Director of Marketing for the Museum.

The units that make up this Battalion were deployed this past April and are not due back until next year. “We miss them dearly,” says Gail M. Dawes, one of the members of the Family Readiness Group, the committee responsible for organizing the holiday event. The committee provides support and assistance to the families of soldiers’ pre, during, and post deployment.

“We do phone trees and place well check calls to make sure the families are adjusting while their soldier is away. And we do referrals for special assistance like counseling, finance management and more. But we also do a few social functions to try to pull the families together so they can bond with other folks that are in the same situation,” says Dawes.

The Family Readiness Group would like to thank the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for all of their support.

Photo Credit: Studioxanadeux.com

VISIT THE MUSEUM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham
Admission: $12.50 adults; $10.50 seniors (age 65 and older) and active military with a military ID; $9.50 children 3 - 12; free for under 3; group rates available. Hours: Closed on Mon. through Dec. 14; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Holiday Hours: Open Christmas Eve until 3 p.m.; Closed Christmas Day, Open New Year’s Eve, Closed on New Year’s Day, Open on Martin Luther King’s Birthday. The museum website is www.lifeandscience.org

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