Amazon Delivers Surprise Christmas Gifts to Military Kids

Children received surprise gifts from Amazon at a special event, organized with Operation Homefront.

Nearly 200 San Diego children, many with parents deployed overseas, got a holiday surprise Thursday when Amazon delivered gifts during a festive gathering for military families.

Military families got together at the Chula Vista Elks Lodge for a special holiday event hosted by Amazon and Operation Homefront. The event was meant to recognize the sacrifices military families make, especially during the holiday season when not everyone can be home to celebrate together.

"We know that sometimes when your service member is deployed, that’s hard on you, at home, alone with your families, to take care of the kids," an event organizer said at the party, speaking to the military spouses in the room.

Amazon surprised the families by donating carefully wrapped toys. Children grinned from ear to ear as they tore off the wrapping paper.

"The families left at home sometimes don’t get recognized. It’s you, the people that stay behind, who take care of the kids and make sure everything is running, (who) really enables your service member to move forward and defend our country," the event organizer said.

Marci Duke, whose husband deployed in October, said the holiday event was a blessing for her family — including kids ages 1 and 3 — during an otherwise tough time of the year.

"It brings a lot of joy for us, especially the kids, this time of year, when there isn’t really that much to be found with our dad and husband gone," Duke told NBC 7.

Duke, currently pregnant with her third child, said her husband will still be deployed when she gives birth in March.

"He will not be here for the birth, so that’s going to be different for us — the first one that he’s missed," she said.

Samantha Raadgep, whose husband is deployed on the USS Sampson, echoed those sentiments. She said Thursday’s festivities put a big smile on the faces of her children, who were pleasantly surprised by the gifts they received from Amazon.

"It’s a relief to have a Christmas and bring more joy to our family and home," said Raadgep.

Amazon spokesperson Ashley Robinson said the event brings the company — and its staffers — tremendous joy as well.

"This is such a fun, emotional event. These are parents who spend a lot of time watching their children on their own while their service member is deployed overseas. It is so exciting to be part of that family and support them, and provide them just a little more cheer this season," said Robinson.

"We are so proud and honored to have that moment with them, and to be able to provide that," she continued. "It’s a tough time. Everyone wants to spend the holidays with their loved ones."

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