Home Uncategorized ‘Operation Snowball’ sends Xmas letters and care packages to Canadian troops overseas

IMG_0544-web — Jeff Leggett & Ron Serkies hold up cards for overseas troops

‘Operation Snowball’ sends Xmas letters and care packages to Canadian troops overseas

December 17, 2024

By Angie Sullivan

The Georgina Military Museum in Keswick collected and delivered over 2,550 letters and care packages to deployed Canadian troops overseas just in time for Christmas!

CFB Trenton, a Canadian Forces base in Quinte West, helped deliver the festive load from Georgina residents, schools, and other groups, who donated items or created cards for ‘Operation Snowball.’

Jeff Leggett, president of the museum, said, “As the Canada Post strike had unfortunately prevented us from using our planned delivery process, I took the opportunity for a short road trip to CFB Trenton, where we were able to drop off everything. This alternative method allowed for our bundle to begin the delivery process in time for the holidays.”

‘Operation Snowball’ began several years ago when museum volunteer Ronald Serkies, a retired Warrant Officer who served with the Governor General’s Horse Guards for over 40 years, walked Georgina’s beaches and asked those he met to sign his notepad to wish deployed troops Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Leggett explained, “He would also have this same notepad set up at our Museum for visitors to sign throughout the year. Ron would also seek out donations for care packages to send the troops as well, including such things as toothbrushes, hard candies, puzzle books, and more.”

This initiative evolved into ‘Operation Snowball.’

Serkies said, “As a volunteer and a veteran at the Georgina Military Museum I would like to thank all of those who visited our museum this past year. I would also like to thank those who filled out or made their own Christmas Cards.”

The Georgina Military Museum would like to expand ‘Operation Snowball.”

Leggett said, “For the coming year, we are hoping to involve even more of our public schools in our program, using a tiered approach. Primary grades could make cards in a ‘crafts’ project, intermediate grades could study the structure of writing, and the senior grades could incorporate the history aspect. We hope to beat our record of 2550 letters and 200 care packages, and with the help of our community, we are confident that we can do it!”