Operation Homefront

Military families line up to receive their free holiday meal ingredients and children's packages during Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Children of military families color and write letters to Santa just before meeting him during the Operation Homefront event on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Christy Drake (left) of Great Lakes receiving a complimentary children's kit during the Operation Homefront, from volunteers Christina Shook (center) and Ulna Patel (red) both from Gurnee Walmart, on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Stacks of peanuts were given out during the Operation Homefront which helped out military families with ingredients for holiday meals on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Volunteer Emmet Stanek (blue) of the Gurnee walmart gives GM1 Kevin Sparks of Great Lakes (black) some peanuts during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Laura Enright of Gunree (flannel) receiving some peanuts and other ingredients to make a great holiday meal during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Plenty of bags full of all the necessary ingredients to make a great holiday meal were ready to be given to military families during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Adalie Osborne, 3, giving Santa (Fred Zimmerman of Downers Grove) her wish list, during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Adalie Osborne, 3, thinking of what she wants for Christmas and to tell Santa (Fred Zimmerman of Downers Grove) during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Sarina Wehrman, 4, of Franklin WI, (right) giving Santa (Fred Zimmerman of Downers Grove) her wish list of presents, during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Sarina Wehrman, 4, of Franklin WI, (right) choosing which stuffed bear she prefers from Santa (Fred Zimmerman of Downers Grove) during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Cara Wehrman of Franklin, WI and her daughter Sarina, 4, (center) are given a recipe book during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Emmarose Denny, 1, and her brother Liam, 4, of Great Lakes, get their photo taken with Santa (Fred Zimmerman of Downers Grove) during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Liam Denny, 4, of Great Lakes showing his wish list to Santa during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Jasmine Ortiz, 3 of Great Lakes, gets her photo taken with Santa Claus (Fred Zimmerman of Downers Grove) during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Michael Gardner, 29, of Great Lakes, smiles after receiving some complimentary gifts to make a decent holiday meal during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Michael Gardner, 29, of Great Lakes, smiles after receiving some complimentary gifts to make a decent holiday meal during the Operation Homefront on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)

Operation Homefront, where packages to make a holiday meal are given to military families on December 16, 2015 at the Gurnee Holiday Inn.  (Mark Ukena/Lake County News Sun)