TDECU collects donations for 13th annual Operation Santa

TDECU is joining forces with Combined Arms for the 13th annual Operation Santa hosted by The Astros Foundation. Houston’s largest credit union is collecting new, unwrapped toys at each of its member centers. The donations will then be sorted, wrapped, and handed out at a holiday party for more than 300 military and veteran families.

TDECU President/CEO Isaac Johnson, who is a veteran himself, says partnering with Combined Arms was an easy decision.

“TDECU’s mission is to help people navigate their financial journeys, and that goes beyond our banking services,” said Johnson. “It also involves helping the communities we serve. I’ve witnessed the sacrifice our veterans' families make to our country. To be able to give back to those families in our communities is an honor.”

Combined Arms is a nonprofit that connects transitioning veterans and the military-connected with services, resources, community, and purpose. By bringing together veteran-focused nonprofits, agencies, and communities, Combined Arms provides resources that empower veterans to lead the successful civilian lives they want, making our community stronger than ever.

“At Combined Arms, we use data gathered in real-time to meet the immediate needs of Texas’s veteran and military communities,” said Combined Arms’ CEO Mike Hutchings. “Food and financial assistance requests have grown exponentially this year. Thanks to TDECU’s partnership, together we can make the holidays brighter for more socially vulnerable military and veteran families during this challenging economic period.”

To ensure donors are supporting veterans closest to home, donations made in Member Centers in Calhoun, DeWitt, Jackson, Lavaca, and Victoria counties will benefit Grace After Fire. Donations made at member centers in Fort Worth and Garland will benefit North Texas veteran families being served by Texas Veterans Network.

Those who are unable to bring a toy can still donate by scanning the QR code at each collection site to access their designated organization’s Amazon Wish List.