LAKEPORT, Calif. – While we enjoy family, friends and holiday meals, many are far from all of those and in harm’s way.

America’s troops serve and sacrifice every day, but feel the separation from home even more during the holidays.

Operation Tango Mike ships care packages to deployed service members every month. Requests for care packages increase during the holiday season as buddies ask to add friends to the list and self-referrals rise as troops make personal requests for support.

Monthly shipping fees average more than $1,000 and the cost to fill care packages is even more.

You can support the troops on Sunday, Dec. 4, at a special event, Pictures with Santa.

Operation Tango Mike will host the festivities at AAA Welding, 637 Bevins St. in Lakeport.

Children, adults and pets are welcome for the photo session from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All dogs must be leashed, current on vaccinations, socialized and well-mannered. Please do not bring an aggressive animal to this event.

A professional will photographer using digital backgrounds will provide holiday cheer to every photo. Visitors will leave with prints in hand. A $15 donation is suggested.

Get in the holiday spirit with warm apple cider, candy canes and of course, Santa Claus.

Craft items will be available and donations of items for troop care packages will gladly be accepted.

For more information please call 707-349-2838 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Also, visit Operation Tango Mike at www.operationtangomike.org or on Facebook.