Fort Bliss Monitor

Heather Wilburn

Members of Boy Scout Troop 37 share a joke as they sort toys at Fort Bliss Operation Santa Claus Saturday.

Scouts lend a hand
to Operation Santa Claus

Heather Wilburn
Special to the Monitor

Elves may be associated with Santa Claus and the North Pole, but Saturday, Fort Bliss’ Operation Santa Claus found a few elves of its own.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 37 worked through Saturday morning and into the afternoon, sorting toys Operation Santa Claus receives through various donations.

The Scouts started with large crates and boxes full of different types of toys. Their job was to sort the toys into different categories, including stuffed animals, girls’ toys and boys’ toys; count the toys and label boxes by category; and seal and stack the finished boxes.

“We have our whole troop here today,” said Troop 37 Scoutmaster Jesus Beltran. “We’re getting the service hours the Scouts need, and we’re giving them a chance to help other children.”

“I feel like this is a great thing to do,” said Troop 37 member Paul Nathan, 16. “We’re at Fort Bliss, and we’re helping out Operation Santa Claus. We’re helping other kids. How many people can say they get to do this?”

“Hopefully, this can become an ongoing project,” Beltran said. “We’d like to be able to come in throughout the year and help out, fix bicycles and participate in the toy disbursement.”

Beltran said letting the Boy Scouts fix bikes would be a win-win situation, as the Scouts would be able to use the experience to help attain the Cycling Merit Badge.

“We had hoped to do some work on the bikes today, but there just isn’t going to be time,” he said.

Providing service to the community is one of the guiding principles of Scouting, Beltran said.

“Our Scouts have also been helping out at the schools lately,” he said. “They helped unload and unbox new textbooks and delivered them to the teachers’ classrooms.”

The troop, sponsored by 1st Battalion (TS) (ADA), 362nd Regiment, has participated in several on-post activities, including taking on the rappelling tower and greeting a “Freedom Flight” returning from Iraq.

“We think it’s important to have the Scouts interact with not just the El Paso community, but also the Fort Bliss community,” Beltran said.

The parents of Troop 37’s Scouts help make the community interaction possible, Beltran said.

“We get great support from our parents,” he said. “Our parental support is probably our biggest strength. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this.”

While the Boy Scouts provide community service, Operation Santa Claus relies on the community for its success.

Operation Santa Claus, located in Bldg. 1123, Baldwin Road, collects and repairs toys and bicycles throughout the year for donation to needy children during the Christmas holidays. Now approaching its 50th anniversary, Operation Santa Claus provides the toys to the El Paso Boys and Girls Club about a week before Christmas.

To make a toy donation, bring toys to the Operation Santa Claus building or call 568-1010 for toy pick-up or more information.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 26, 2007

	Heather Wilburn Members of Boy Scout Troop 37 share a joke as they sort toys at Fort Bliss Operation Santa Claus Saturday. Scouts lend a hand to Operation Santa Claus Heather Wilburn Special to the Monitor Elves may be associated with Santa Claus and the North Pole, but Saturday, Fort Bliss’ Operation Santa Claus found a few elves of its own. Members of Boy Scout Troop 37 worked through Saturday morning and into the afternoon, sorting toys Operation Santa Claus receives through various donations. The Scouts started with large crates and boxes full of different types of toys. Their job was to sort the toys into different categories, including stuffed animals, girls’ toys and boys’ toys; count the toys and label boxes by category; and seal and stack the finished boxes. “We have our whole troop here today,” said Troop 37 Scoutmaster Jesus Beltran. “We’re getting the service hours the Scouts need, and we’re giving them a chance to help other children.” “I feel like this is a great thing to do,” said Troop 37 member Paul Nathan, 16. “We’re at Fort Bliss, and we’re helping out Operation Santa Claus. We’re helping other kids. How many people can say they get to do this?” “Hopefully, this can become an ongoing project,” Beltran said. “We’d like to be able to come in throughout the year and help out, fix bicycles and participate in the toy disbursement.” Beltran said letting the Boy Scouts fix bikes would be a win-win situation, as the Scouts would be able to use the experience to help attain the Cycling Merit Badge. “We had hoped to do some work on the bikes today, but there just isn’t going to be time,” he said. Providing service to the community is one of the guiding principles of Scouting, Beltran said. “Our Scouts have also been helping out at the schools lately,” he said. “They helped unload and unbox new textbooks and delivered them to the teachers’ classrooms.” The troop, sponsored by 1st Battalion (TS) (ADA), 362nd Regiment, has participated in several on-post activities, including taking on the rappelling tower and greeting a “Freedom Flight” returning from Iraq. “We think it’s important to have the Scouts interact with not just the El Paso community, but also the Fort Bliss community,” Beltran said. The parents of Troop 37’s Scouts help make the community interaction possible, Beltran said. “We get great support from our parents,” he said. “Our parental support is probably our biggest strength. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this.” While the Boy Scouts provide community service, Operation Santa Claus relies on the community for its success. Operation Santa Claus, located in Bldg. 1123, Baldwin Road, collects and repairs toys and bicycles throughout the year for donation to needy children during the Christmas holidays. Now approaching its 50th anniversary, Operation Santa Claus provides the toys to the El Paso Boys and Girls Club about a week before Christmas. To make a toy donation, bring toys to the Operation Santa Claus building or call 568-1010 for toy pick-up or more information.