JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - A special delivery was made to Santa's Castle Nov. 18, and the deliverymen didn't even have to travel to the North Pole.

Santa's Castle, located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., has a specific mission, and that's to provide as many holiday gifts as possible to struggling military families and their children during the holiday season.

"We're completely independent. We're not for profit. We're all unpaid volunteers. Everything you see here is donated or bought with donated money," said Lisa Bennett, president of Santa's Castle.

Learning of this after a brief from Bennett, the soldiers and families of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division decided to hold a toy drive, Nov. 12-15, and made its delivery to the castle on the morning of Nov. 18.

"Giving is always a [great] thing to do. It's good for the heart. It's good for the soul. Santa's Castle is definitely a great program that should be utilized," said Sgt. Miguel Romero, a Dexter, N.M.b native with the 2-1 Infantry. "I was speaking with a [volunteer] here and they give all their toys away every year; they start with an empty building every year, so they need help for donations. Not only that, kids deserve a couple gifts for the holiday. You know, feel loved, and feel part of a family, and feel part of a team."

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First publishes November 22nd, 2013

By Staff Sgt. Bryan Dominique