Operation HandWarmer co-founders Burt Sappenfield and Larry Miller were presented with an official proclamation designating Friday, December 9th ìOperation Hand-Warmer Day in Columbia Countyî last night in Evans at a meeting of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. Commission Chairman Doug Duncan extolled the charitable efforts on behalf of U.S. troops in cold-weather duty stations worldwide since the organization was launched in late 2011. ìWeíre proud that both gentlemen who started Operation HandWarmer operate established businesses located right here in Columbia County,î explained Mr. Duncan.

BIG DONATIONS DAY SET FOR EVANS WALMART

Evans Walmart Store Manager Charles Wells graciously agreed to provide space in front of his supercenter near the grocery entrance for what promises to be the biggest single collections day for ìOperation HandWarmer 2022î. His assistant, Kiffany Avera, is coordinating the exterior display setup as well as special item displays near both store entrances and other strategic areas throughout the store.

CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Premier Provider and long-time Operation HandWarmer Media Partner FOX54 NEWS NOW is going all-out to make December 9th the most successful collection day in Operation HandWarmer history. ìWe are honored to be able to marshal our resources to provide a bit of comfort and care for our military men and women in cold-weather duty stations this winter,î said FOX54 Vice President and General Manager Chastity Scott. ìOur FOX54 NEWS NOW TV personalities are all excited to help make this event a fun and rewarding experience.î

FOX54 is supporting Operation HandWarmer with the following efforts:

* ìSaluting Our Heroesî ñ Reporter Abby Bradshaw hosted a feature interview that is airing in the evening news, and the morning news, as well as pushed out through social media.

* December 9th: FOX54 NEWS NOW will be live in the morning and cover the big donations drive throughout the day, following up with a live report in their early evening news.

Donations: Why, What, When, and Where?

Majestic Floor Care owner/operator Burt Sappenfield, a civic-minded CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Premier Provider and Special Ambassador who created ìOperation HandWarmerî 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. ìOperation HandWarmerî is designed to supplement standard military-issue clothing and supplies specifically for those who must perform critical tasks requiring manual dexterity. ìWe 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,î adds Mr. Sappenfield. (See a list of requested donation items and drop-off locations at https://OperationHandwarmerUS.com.)

ìIt is easy for everyone to participate,î reports Mr. Miller, himself a former United States Army Military Police Captain stationed at nearby Fort Gordon. ìThese 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.î 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: ìOur 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.î

Purchase Donation Items Online

As an added convenience, those wishing to contribute may order handwarmers and other materials online at Amazon.com (https://amzn.to/3xp8jMe), WalMart.com, Target.com, etc., and have their purchases shipped directly 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 listed prominently on www.C21LarryMiller.com, www.OperationHandWarmerUS.com, www.WFXG.com, on all iHeartMEDIA Augusta station websites, www.CSRAHomeConnections.com,, and at www.AugustaChronicle.com.