Fort Knox service members bring holiday cheer and toys to Santa’s Workshop

By Kevin Sandell, Red Cross volunteer

Soldiers and families participate in ruck march

Much like Santa hauling his sack of toys to children every Christmas, U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Fort Knox donned their ruck sacks full of new, donated toys and marched to the Santa’s Workshop toy drive on post, in mid-November. For the units involved, participating in the toy donation ruck march was a way to give back to an organization that has contributed to the welfare of service members and their families. 

“As one of the main tenant units on Ft. Knox … it is vitally important to show support within the Ft. Knox community,” said Sgt. 1st Class Derek Koth, with First Army Division East who led a team of soldiers on the march. “Places like the [American] Red Cross and Santa’s Workshop do so much for the soldiers and civilians on post that are in need. More importantly, around the holidays when families are stretched thin and some struggle, this ruck march and giving back to them is the least we can do.”

Santa’s Workshop is a program through Service to the Armed Forces to provide new, unwrapped gifts to military families who are financially insecure during the holidays. Operated entirely by Red Cross volunteers, Santa’s Workshop is a need-based program that allows active and reserve military families at Fort Knox to receive presents for their children through the generosity of donors. In 2022, over 280 children received presents, a nearly 20% increase from 2021.  

“The American Red Cross Fort Knox Office is incredible and the best that I have come across in my career,” said Maj. Tony Ibrahim, commander of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command headquarters company. “Anytime that a HRC soldier or family required assistance, the Red Cross [at Fort Knox] immediately jumped into action to lend a hand.” 

This year, U.S. Army Human Resources Command and First Army Division East were just two of several units, including U.S. Army Recruiting Command and the 19th Engineer Battalion, that conducted ruck marches to support Santa’s Workshop. In 2022, 15 units at Fort Knox voluntarily conducted ruck marches with soldiers, family members, and even their pets to donate toys. Military families from 21 units at Fort Knox were supported by the Santa’s Workshop in 2022. 

U.S. Army soldiers place toys in collection bins 

Both Ibrahim and Koth said their units had participated in the annual toy drive ruck march since at least 2021. They also credited abundant volunteerism and selfless service among their soldiers’ qualities and said the soldiers are “committed to service excellence both at work and outside of work.” Supporting financially-insecure soldiers and their families during the holidays was a top priority for both units, they said. 

Military families can apply for the Santa’s Workshop program through an online application. Families can “shop for” presents from Dec. 4-8, 2023, at the Santa’s Workshop location at the Red Cross Warrior Warehouse on post. Those looking for more information or interested in donating toys, gift cards, or money can contact the Red Cross at 502-624-2163. 

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About the Author: Kevin Sandell is an active-duty soldier at Fort Knox who serves as a communications volunteer with the American Red Cross South Central Kentucky Chapter. He has served in the U.S. Army since 2007 and has also served in Kentucky, New York, Texas, South Carolina, and the Pentagon. He has deployed three times to Afghanistan and Kosovo and is married with four children.