By Lt. Jonathan Blyth, Navy Office of Information East 102
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) joined the families of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for their annual holiday party Dec. 4 at the Breezy Point Officer's Club here.
Over a three-week period, employees of OPM at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., and in regional offices from San Francisco to Norfolk collected more than 1,200 toys to be delivered to children of Roosevelt Sailors.
OPM, headquartered in the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building in the nation’s capital, officially 'adopted' the ship shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, when she and the crew began fighting global the war on terrorism. This holiday season the ship is once again overseas.
Each child received a couple of toys to show “OPM’s appreciation for the hard work their parents do in protecting our freedom here at home,” said Gary Acker, coordinator of the toy drive for the agency.
OPM also helped record a video holiday postcard that will be sent to the children's parents serving overseas.
The wife of commanding officer Capt. J.R. Haley said, “Since it is the holiday season, and we miss being with our spouses, the video that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is making of today’s party will allow us to share this happy event with everyone aboard the ship.”
More than 300 children indulged in hot dogs, chicken fingers, popcorn and cookies. Between having their faces painted and drawing holiday cards, the children also sat on Santa’s lap and whispered into his ear what presents they hoped he would bring on Christmas Day.
Spouses had an opportunity to watch a pre-recorded DVD of season’s greetings from Haley and dozens of Sailors aboard the ship.
The relationship between OPM and Theodore Roosevelt is very important, according to OPM Director Linda M. Springer. After the party, she summed up the spirit of the afternoon by saying, "Once again, OPM employees have made this holiday season very special for the children of men and women deployed in service to our country.”
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
