U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense employees embraced the holiday spirit by providing holiday gifts and warm coats, hats and gloves to Edgewood Elementary School families in Edgewood, Maryland, Dec. 18.

USAMRICD Commander Col. Roman Bilynsky, together with members of his staff and the Institute's Family Readiness Group, presented the donated items to Principal Jennifer Drumgoole, Assistant Principal Jeanna Gentile, and the school counselor, Karen Cunningham.

"Thank you very much to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense for their interest in making Christmas special for families of Edgewood Elementary," said Drumgoole. "The generous donations of toys, clothes and bicycles will certainly provide families with a memorable Christmas! We wish everyone at the USAMRICD the same sense of joy and caring that they brought to families of Edgewood Elementary this holiday season."

Institute employees, U.S. Army Public Health Command staff and JCPenney associates donated nearly 50 gifts, including bikes, toys and shoes. The group also provided 33 coats and a handful of hats and gloves.

The institutes Family Readiness Group spearheaded the project. Upon receipt of the donations they wrapped the gifts and transported them and the outerwear donations to the elementary school.