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Operation Santa Claus delivers parcels to deployed troops

December 14, 2005

OTTAWA, ON - Regardless where they are stationed throughout the world, each of the 2,000-plus Canadian Forces (CF) personnel deployed overseas will receive a holiday package from home through Operation Santa Claus. This unique Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) program is designed to enhance the morale of deployed troops during the holiday season.

CF members in Africa, the Balkans, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and the Arabian Gulf Region will receive parcels filled with many homey items, including chips, candies, peanuts, writing paper, and greeting cards from Military Family Resource Centres and grade schools.

"This program, which is supported by CFPSA's CANEX and SISIP Financial Services, has been active since 1993. It brings a bit of cheer to our deployed personnel who are working away from home and have to be apart from their families over the holiday season," says Shirley Penny, CFSPA Amenities Coordinator.

Operation Santa Claus provides corporate Canada with an opportunity to demonstrate support for Canada's deployed soldiers, sailors and air personnel. This large-scale project commences with the collection of donations each April. Packaging, delivery, and preparation occur in late September to ensure delivery and distribution in December.

Companies and groups who have donated items for this year's parcels are:

Abuma, Alberta Sunflower Seeds, Alcatel, Boeing Canada, Bushnell Performance, Butler, Canada Christian College, Canadian Geographic, Canadian Textiles, CIBC, Cisco, E.D. Smith, Fufitsu, Garrety, Gillette, General Dynamics, Guthrie School Edmonton, Hersheys, Hesco, Ican Marine, INS News Service, Irvin Aerospace, L3 Communications, Loblaws/Weston, Logistik Unicorp, MacDonald, Dettwiller & Associates, Microsoft, Moosehead Breweries Limited, Molson Canada, North American Marketing, Patlon Aircraft and Industries, Procter & Gamble, Production Case, Promaxis, Quebecor, Raytheon Canada, Ritchie's Feed & Seed, Rogers Cable, Royal Canadian Legion, SNC Technologies, Siemac, Scepter, Skylink, Sperry, Schenker, Stedfast, The Personal Insurance Company, Tim Hortons, Tony Graham Lexus Toyota, Toro Magazine, Video Group, Wal Mar Atlantic, Wal-Mart, Wrigley's Gum, Weatherhaven, and Valcom.

Operation Santa Claus is one of the many morale and welfare programs CFPSA offers to enhance the operational effectiveness of CF members.

Corporate donations for the 2006 holiday season may be made through the CFPSA by visiting www.cfpsa.com.

Donations from individuals are discouraged for reasons of security and safety. However, individuals may send holiday cheer through the 'Write to the Troops' online message board at: www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/messageboard/index_e.asp.

For a current list of Canadian Forces Deployed Operations, please visit: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/current_ops_e.asp.

For further information, please contact:
Stephanie Webster, Media Relations Coordinator
Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
(613) 996-6204 Webster.Stephanie@cfpsa.com