CEO Larry Miller announced recently that the iHeartMEDIA local radio station group, FOX 54 (WFXG-TV), and The Augusta Chronicle have volunteered to serve as the official media partners for “Operation Hand-Warmer 2022”, which is now accepting donations. This year’s donation drive was officially launched at the CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Networking Breakfast on November 9th at The Snelling Center in Augusta.

Donations: Why, What, When, and Where?
Burt Sappenfield, a civic-minded CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Premier Provider and Special Ambassador who created “Operation HandWarmer” with Larry Miller back in 2011, has already laid the groundwork for this drive to collect hand-warmers for our front-line troops in remote duty stations which traditionally experience bitterly cold winters. “Operation HandWarmer” is designed to supplement standard military issue clothing and supplies specifically for those who must perform critical tasks requiring manual dexterity. “We want to make it easy and simple for citizens with a heart for our military to help warm the hands---and hearts---of our men and women in uniform,” adds Mr. Sappenfield. (See a list of requested donation items and drop-off locations at www.OperationHandwarmerUS.com.)

“It is easy for everyone to participate,” reports Mr. Miller, himself a former United States Army Military Police Captain stationed at nearby Fort Gordon. “These men and women are putting everything on the line for our country, so I think the least we can do is show them we care in a tangible, meaningful way.” CENTURY 21 Larry Miller Realty agents and staff members are also heavily committed to the success of this effort. Marketing Director Dawn Sanders and CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Membership Development Director Allen Dean are monitoring collection boxes at CENTURY 21 Larry Miller Realty headquarters at 235 North Belair Road in Evans.

Mr. Sappenfield reminds us of the urgency inherent in Operation Hand- Warmer: “Our troops are moving deeper into the dead of winter in harsh foreign environments every day, so we need to make this happen for them as quickly as possible.”
Purchase Donation Items Online and Ship Before December 3rd
As an added convenience, those wishing to contribute may order handwarmers and other materials online at Amazon.com, WalMart.com, Target.com, etc. and have their purchases shipped direct to OPERATION HANDWARMER c/o CENTURY 21 Larry Miller Realty, 235 North Belair Road. Evans, Georgia 30809. (Note: Many national retailers are offering free shipping for online purchases during this holiday season.)

Media Partners and Volunteers Contribute Time and Effort

All three OPERATION HAND-WARMER 2022 Media Partners will feature ongoing coverage and updates on their websites. Event and promotional details will be provided via Media Alerts as logistics are finalized and will be listed prominently on
www.OperationHandWarmerUS.com, www.C21LarryMiller.com, on all iHeartMEDIA Augusta station websites, www.CSRAHomeConnections.com, www.WFXG.com, and at www.AugustaChronicle.com.

Bert Dean, president of ClarionSouth Communications, is once again coordinating all advertising and promotional activities with Burt Sappenfield, all three Media Partners, and CENTURY 21 Larry Miller Realty. (Mr. Dean is also the Co- founder and Executive Director of the CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Program.)