Guam, December 6, 2023 — DeWitt Guam proudly reaffirms its commitment to the real-life Operation Christmas Drop, having been a steadfast partner since 1995.
“For a long time, you’re just flying across water, and then, all of a sudden, there’s an island,” shared DeWitt Guam’s CEO, John Burrows. “There are just hundreds of islands out there that are not represented on the maps that most of us are used to seeing. It’s amazing to be a part of spreading Christmas cheer year after year.”
Operation Christmas Drop is a vital humanitarian initiative facilitating the airdrop of supplies such as food, medicine, books, clothes, toys, and gifts to over 50 remote Pacific islands. Over the years, the program’s impact has been substantial, exemplified by the sheer volume of donations dropped annually:
- In 2020, Operation Christmas Drop did a modified donation due to COVID-19, and dropped 64 bundles of supplies, containing 3,200 pounds, to individuals living on remote Pacific islands.
- In 2021, Operation Christmas Drop dropped bundles of supplies, containing over 55,100 pounds, to serve more than 20,000 people living on remote Pacific islands.
- In 2022, Operation Christmas Drop served 57 islands, dropping 209 boxes and more than 75,000 pounds of donations.
The success of this initiative relies on collaboration between entities like the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; 734th Air Mobility Squadron, Andersen AFB of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the Operation Christmas Drop private organization.
Residents and businesses throughout Guam actively contribute to this humanitarian mission, with DeWitt Guam playing a crucial role by providing specially ordered 17 cube and 20 cube tri-wall cardboard boxes for the airdropped donations. Victor Valenzuela, Vice President and General Manager, emphasized the importance of the robust boxes, stating, “They’re the best boxes to drop off an aircraft.”
Expressing pride in the company’s ongoing involvement, John Burrows emphasized, “It’s a very worthy cause. We do a lot of moving for the military, and we want to give back and support our armed services whenever we can.”
DeWitt Guam’s commitment extends beyond material support—they also help pack and decorate the boxes. As the holiday season approaches, DeWitt Guam stands as a testament to corporate responsibility and community engagement, ensuring that the spirit of giving remains alive in the Pacific.
About DeWitt Guam: DeWitt Guam is a moving and logistics company based in Guam, dedicated to providing efficient and reliable moving and transportation services. With a proud history of supporting Operation Christmas Drop, DeWitt Guam actively contributes to the well-being of communities in the Pacific region.