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 2019”, which is now accepting donations. The official launch will be celebrated at the CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Networking Breakfast on November 13^th 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 Hand-Warmer” back in

2012, has already laid the groundwork for this drive to collect hand-warmers for our front-line troops in Afghanistan, which traditionally experiences bitterly cold winters, and the U.S. Army’s 3^rd Infantry Division duty stations in Europe. “Operation Hand-Warmer” 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 appropriate donation items 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 Program Coordinator Sandra Dean have set up collection boxes at both CENTURY 21 Larry Miller Realty offices (235 North Belair Road in Evans and 1665 Washington Road in Thomson). Collection boxes and/or barrels will also soon be set up:

in the iHeartMEDIA Augusta lobby (2743 Perimeter Parkway, Building 100,

        Suite 300, Augusta)

in the FOX 54 lobby (3933 Washington Road, Martinez)

in the lobby of two Queensborough National Bank & Trust branches:

        > 3617 Walton Way Extension, Augusta, GA 30909

        > 4226 Columbia Road, Augusta, GA 30907

at various additional locations as his year’s drive progresses

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 3^rd

As an added convenience, those wishing to contribute may order hand-warmers and other materials online at Amazon.com, WalMart.com, Target.com, etc. and have their purchases shipped direct to OPERATION HAND-WARMER 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

Cher Best, iHeartMEDIA Augusta Marketing/Promotions Manager, has committed to a series of remote broadcasts with various local radio personalities at several area business locations. iHeartMEDIA Augusta stations include 104.3 WBBQ, 96.3 KISS-FM, 105.7 THE BULL, EAGLE 106.3; POWER 107, and FOX SPORTS 1340. The first scheduled live radio remote broadcast will be hosted by iHeartMEDIA’s own Cher Best on KISS 96.3 and take place from 4:00 P.M. ‘til 6:00 P.M. on November 20^th at the Fort Gordon PX.

FOX 54 News Now (WFXG-TV) will provide coverage featuring station news personalities pointing out the importance of this worthwhile cause, as well donating station commercial time to run calls to action for donations. News Director David Williams has already scheduled coverage of the CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Networking Breakfast event on November 13^th, the annual “Christmas Carols” concert at Stevens Creek Elementary on November 20th, and the annual OPERATION HAND-WARMER 2019 Packing Party on December 11^th at American Legion Post 192 in Evans.

The Augusta Chronicle joins the Operation Hand-Warmer team this year. Tony Bernados, President of The Augusta Chronicle and Chronicle Media, says, “We are excited about being a part of this wonderful program and look forward to helping make it even more of a success this year.”