Wyoming National Guard Seeks GUARDian Angels

The Wyoming National Guard's annual GUARDian Angel program is seeking GUARDian Angels and children for the program.

The program provides children of Guard personnel who are having financial difficultie with holiday gifts.

orissa Ozekin, Wyoming National Guard lead Child and Youth Program coordinator, says anyone can nominate a child of a Wyoming National Guard soldier or airman,if they feel that soldier or airman's family may be in financial straits, Nominations forms include the child's wish list, favorite colors and clothing sizes. Each child's anonymity is ensured

Ozekin says last year more than 50 Wyoming Army National Guard children and more than100 Wyoming Air National Guard children were sponsored by GUARDian Angels and she anticipates about that many nominations this year.

She says the program began in 1990 when Wyoming soldiers and airmen were beingdeployed for Desert Storm. More than 3,600 children have been sponsored since that time. Volunteers, typically dressed in elf costumes and Santa suits, deliver the gifts to children around Wyoming.

Nominations for needy children are being accepted until Dec. 12. Concurrently, a list will be maintained of people interested in being a GUARDian Angel by sponsoring children.