Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Ayeshah McDonald and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Darwin Reyes from Naval Support Activity South Potomac load Christmas gifts donated by military personnel and civilian employees at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren for needy families in the area. Dahlgren and Indian Head employees adopted over 100 families as part of this year's holiday assistance program, which assisted military families through the USO and community families through King George Social Services and Charles County Children's Aid Society.

Base employees at Dahlgren and Indian Head ‘‘adopted” a total of 123 families and provided gifts, food and gift cards to make the holiday brighter. Those in need of assistance included local county residents as well as military members who needed a little help for the season.

King George County Social Services, who manages the holiday assistance program for local residents, watched in awe as the box truck was unloaded and previously empty tables filled with gifts. KGCSS employee Sandy Berry estimated that Dahlgren base employees, between participating in base-managed programs, church programs and individual sponsorships account for helping out more than 60 percent of those in need in the county. Berry was grateful for the response of base employees, considering that the request for assistance this year was larger than any year in the past.

Indian Head employees, while supporting local military families, also contributed to a toy drive that benefited the Charles County Children’s Aid Society. Toys were delivered to the armory, where they join other donated items, and families may come to choose items to make their holiday brighter.

Every command at both bases contributed to the effort, with hundreds of children, disabled and elderly provided with holiday cheer!