Operation ELF, established in 2001, provides support to military families enduring the hardship of separation due to deployment and helps lessen the financial stresses these families face resulting from their call to active duty.  It is designed to support military families whose loved ones are deployed, preparing to deploy within the next six months, or recently returned from deployment.

Operation ELF provided the generous citizens of our great state an opportunity to "do something" to show their support of our men and women in uniform and their families.

Over 350 Connecticut National Guardsmen are currently in the deployment cycle, with approximately 110 Guardsmen currently serving overseas and another 170 preparing to deploy in support of operations around the world. Sixty-six members of the 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, headquartered in Waterbury, Conn., returned from deployment in Poland in late September.

Donations of new unwrapped toys for children of all ages as well as donations of gift cards for grocery and department/home goods stores, pharmacies, and gas stations help support military families throughout the year. The donation of fuel oil, snow removal, and home maintenance services are also accepted.

How to donate:  

Gift card donations and new unwrapped gifts may be dropped off through December 10, 2022 at one of the following
drop-off locations between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.:

On Tuesday, December 12, 2022, the final day of the drop-off period, the William A. O'Neill Armory will host extended hours for drop-offs, staying open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.     

Gift cards donations can also be mailed to:

Connecticut National Guard
Service Member & Family Support Center
360 Broad Street
Hartford, CT 06105-3795

Mailed donations should include the donor's name, address and phone number so that contributions can be acknowledged.

For the donation of home services, please call the CTNG SMFSC at 1-800-858-2677.

Financial Donations: 

Financial donations can be made through the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. The foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that was established in April of 2003 for the purpose of providing emergency financial assistance for Connecticut National Guard members and their families. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Financial donations can be sent to:

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.
360 Broad Street
Hartford, CT 06105-3795

Checks should be made payable to: "CTNGFI “– in the memo section, please write “Operation E.L.F.”

For more information about the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, visit https://ctngfi.org/.

Operation E.L.F. Hotline
1-800-858-2677

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