6th Annual Christmas Retreat for Military Families

For most of us, the holidays are a joyous time full of family, fun, and relaxation; but for many military families, the holidays can be stressful and lonely. Gravatt’s Christmas Retreat for Military Families offers service men and women the chance to relax, reconnect, and enjoy holiday traditions.

For the sixth year, families from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and National Guard who are unable to go home for the holidays will come together to Gravatt to enjoy delicious, homemade meals, making gingerbread houses, the high and low ropes course, zip line, canoeing, fishing, evening activities, a visit from Santa, and more. And of course this retreat would not be the same without the abundance of cookies provided by Carolyn and Bruce Hart and friends. The retreat is free to our service men and women. It's a joyous time for the community to provide the gift of family time to our military. 

This December will mark Gravatt's 6th Annual Christmas Retreat for Military Families. Thanks to generous gifts from the Aiken-Augusta Wounded Warrior Charity Golf Classic, the Bartels Family Foundation, and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, we are 2/3 of the way to our fundraising goal to support 16 families (about 90 participants) to attend the retreat this year.

Here's how you can help:

Donate by clicking here.

Nominate an active duty military family to attend the retreat. Contact Lauri for more information.

Sign up to provide a meal for the families. Contact Lauri for details.

Sign up to provide an activity or program for the families. Contact Thomas for details.

Provide supplies. Contact Lauri for details. Here are some ideas: graham cracker, white icing, and candies for gingerbread houses; arts and crafts supplies; non-sugary snacks; board games; gift cards; a Christmas tree; acrylic paint and undecorated Christmas; ornaments; boxes or Tupperware to transport cookies home.