Operation Covert Santa: Bringing Holiday Cheer to Injured Service Members

ROCKVILLE, Md., January 3, 2018 – Imagine a holiday spent at the hospital without the aroma of home cooking, the sound of laughter, children playing, or lights on a Christmas tree. For recently injured troops and their families, this scenario is all too real. However, thanks to Operation Covert Santa, Capitol Concierge was able to help make the holiday season a little brighter for these brave families.

Operation Covert Santa gathers wish lists from service members and their families who are at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, removes all identifying information, and asks volunteers to supply the presents. All the gifts are given and received anonymously. The donors do not know the families’ identities, and the families do not know the donors. According to Operation Covert Santa, it’s “Just Santa doing his job.” This is the fourth year that Capitol Concierge has participated in Operation Covert Santa.

This year, the Capitol Concierge team donated and wrapped over 100 gifts. “Being a part of Operation Covert Santa gives us an opportunity to make a trying and difficult situation a little bit better for service members and their families,” said Capitol Concierge CEO Lynda Ellis. “It’s one of the ways we say thank you to those who give so bravely to our country.”