Basic training with the U.S. Coast Guard is tough. More than 500 recruits were able to take a break from their rigorous basic training and spend Thanksgiving Day with 85 host families and community organizations across Cape May County as part of Operation Fireside.

“We appreciate the Frontino Family hosting us in their house and giving us a place to call home since, as recruits, we’re not able to be home for the holiday,” said U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Janay Brown.

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Operation Fireside provides recruits from the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May with a place to call home on Thanksgiving and/or Christmas Day. The recruits, who are away from home during the Coast Guard’s eight-week basic training, are matched by the Red Cross and the Coast Guard with local families who are willing to open their homes to recruits during the holidays.

“It’s just wonderful to have these recruits in our house today,” said Lea Frontino of Cape May. “We would have been alone without our family this year and we think it’s important to spend Thanksgiving with family. We appreciate the program and the chance to get to know these recruits today and spend time as family.”

For more than 40 years, Cape May area families and local organizations have welcomed the recruits, with many continuing the tradition year after year.

“Operation Fireside is an incredible longstanding program we’ve been honored to collaborate on with the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May,” said Rachel Lippoff, executive director, American Red Cross of Southern New Jersey. “We’re thankful to the 80 generous Cape May area families, along with the American Legion Posts, who warmly welcomed 500 recruits with a Thanksgiving feast and the comforts of home.”

Cape May County families apply for the opportunity to host recruits during the holidays with Operation Fireside. All host families must live within 50 miles or within a 60-minute drive (whichever comes first) of the Coast Guard Training Center at One Munro Avenue in Cape May. Host families are added on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who apply and meet the criteria are matched with recruits for the holidays.

In addition to the incredible families who participated, the Red Cross is thankful to the American Legion Post 352 in Somers Point, the American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion Post 184 in Wildwood, Sons of American Legion Squadron 524 in Ocean City, and American Legion Post 28 in Absecon for helping make the holiday special for the recruits.

Red Cross volunteers Ken and Linda Ballan are two incredible humanitarians who lead the coordination of Operation Fireside for both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day with the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center and Cape May County families. We are grateful for their service and dedication to making this effort a success.

Learn more about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces at redcross.org/SAF.