Operation Homefront Means Holiday Cheer

NORFOLK -- Two-year-old Lilly Florio tore the wrapping off a children's DVD, then put her hands in the air as if she'd scored a touchdown.

In a way, she had. An early version of Santa's sleigh arrived Tuesday afternoon, stocked with gifts for Lilly and her three older siblings.

The Florios are one of 16 military families selected by Operation Homefront's Hampton Roads chapter for some extra help this holiday season.

"We definitely appreciate it," said Lilly's mom, Amy Florio, as volunteers stacked bags and boxes of wrapped gifts in the family's garage. "This Christmas is going to be tougher than most."

Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com Support our Troops webpage.

Florio, a stay-at-home mom, is legally blind. She and her husband, Joseph, a Navy petty officer first class, are helping to support her recently widowed grandmother and don't have much money for gifts for Lilly and their other children: daughters Cierra, 11, and Hanna, 5, and son Joey, 8.

A dozen families, including the Florios, were "adopted" by various departments at Dollar Tree's corporate headquarters in Chesapeake. Each department worked directly with parents to fulfill specific wishes for each child.

"It's not that they're destitute or broke," said Cathy McCarthy, the chapter's program director. "It's just circumstances in their lives that hit at the wrong time."

Both givers and receivers were full of appreciation on Tuesday.

Before the present-filled truck headed to its next stop, Florio thanked the Dollar Tree representatives for their generosity.

Replied one: "Thanks for your service. We're honored and humbled by what you do."