1 TSC Hosts Toy Ruck March

Official Statements

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “FORT KNOX, Ky. — More than 500 Soldiers and family members from Fort Knox rucked more than 1,500 toys and gifts to the Fort Knox Santa’s Workshop Nov. 13 to be donated for children in need. Throughout the holiday season, units on post collect toys for the American Red Cross, which is focused on helping Soldiers’ Families who are facing hard times have a happy Christmas. The units then band together and deliver their toys by ruck march.”

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “With the 1st Theater Sustainment Command leading the way this year, the Fort Knox Soldiers and family members gathered at the Natcher Physical Fitness Center at 6:00 a.m. to start their hike to Santa’s Workshop. Lt. Col. James Burds, commander of the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Theater Sustainment Command said it is a powerful, community-driven event that delivers real holiday joy to Soldiers and families.”

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “Fort Knox has a great military community, a hometown feel and it’s because [Soldiers] show up,” said Burds. “These events prove that military communities are forged through action. Taking care of our families during the holidays boosts morale today and sets a powerful example of selfless service for our future Soldiers and military communities.”

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with dozens of volunteers, stood by ready to receive toys at the workshop, and pose for photos with the Soldiers and family members. As the steady stream of marchers filed past, bin after bin stuffed with toys was wheeled inside to be sorted and stacked for families to browse when Santa’s Workshop and Candy Cane Lane open on Nov. 30. Red Cross volunteer Sandy Bousum said last year the program gave out over 1,800 toys to Soldiers and their families.”

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “It takes a lot of donations,” said Bousum. “That’s why we love these big ruck marches. Those are our biggest donors. It makes it kind of special that [Soldiers] are willing to take out of their pocket to help fellow Soldiers.”

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “Bousum encouraged any Families wishing to still apply for Santa’s Workshop or volunteer to reach out through the contact information on their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SantaKnox25/. She said thanks to the willingness of units like the 1st TSC to ruck their donations over to the Workshop, they will be able to help many Fort Knox children have a wonderful Christmas.”

• 1st Theater Sustainment Command, November 13: “Soldiers pay for this assistance every time they put their uniform on,” said Bousum. “Every day they serve in the military pays for this program. They protect us, so we are going to take care of them.”