Operation Homefront provides school supplies to military children

About 80 Fort Rucker children were provided with all the supplies needed for a successful school year during Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade Aug. 2.

This year’s event marked the second time Operation Homefront has provided free backpacks and other school supplies to military families in the area. 

“This is our ninth year running with the Back to School Brigade, however at Fort Rucker this is only the second time we’ve had the event,” said Corey Conner, Operation Homefront community liaison for Alabama.

Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization based out of San Antonio, Texas that provides emergency financial assistance and other services to the families of military members and wounded warriors. The southeast chapter assists military families living in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

“We serve primarily E1-E6 families, or junior enlisted soldiers, who sometimes live paycheck to paycheck,” Conner said.

Conner, a military spouse who started working with Operation Homefront in 2007, said the Back to School Brigade is just one of several morale programs that the organization provides to soldiers and their families. Other morale services include a holiday meal and toy program.

During the Back to School Brigade, children and families shopped for free backpacks, rulers, pencils and other classroom necessities, while visiting with representatives from other military organizations, local clubs and after-school programs.

“It’s very exciting to watch the little kids get the chance to pick out their own things,” Conner said. 

In addition to morale programs, Operation Homefront also provides emergency grants to cover food, rent, mortgage payments, automobile repairs and utility costs, among other expenses often faced by military families. All services are provided through donations and corporate sponsorships. Dollar Tree primarily sponsored the Back-to-School Brigade, Conner said.

In addition to donations and sponsorships, the organization has also been able to provide assistance to thousands of military families through the work of more than 2,500 volunteers.

As a military spouse, Conner said being a part of the organization is a way for her to give back to the military community. 

“I do this because I like to give back to the communities that have given me so much in the last 15 years,” she said.

To learn more about Operation Homefront, or to request assistance, visit www.operationhomefront.net.