Ft. Carson Soldiers Brave Cold To Help Those In Need

Hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers braved below-freezing temperatures to help those in need stay warm this holiday season.

The soldiers have been collecting donations at the Mountain Post as part of Operation Happy Holidays.

On Friday morning, they stuffed their backpacks full of clothes, toys, food and blankets.

They marched through downtown Colorado Springs and ended up at the Marion House parking lot.

The soldiers unpacked all of the donations onto tables and then handed them out to those in need.

All of the soldiers volunteered to be part of this project. They said they were excited to give back to their community.

“It seems like the perfect prelude to Christmas,” said Maj. Steve Janko.

“We have our warrior ethos,” Col. Joel Tyler said. “We don’t leave anyone behind.”

Amy Buckman is a mother of four young children. She said the holidays can be a stressful time and she was thankful to get help from soldiers this year.

This is the second time Fort Carson soldiers have organized this event of giving.

They donated items in 2009, but were deployed in Afghanistan last year. They said they plan to make this a tradition for years to come.