Teen Who Raised $11K For Soldier Sister's Unit Gets Best Gift

NEW CITY, NY — "Operation Santa: Sam's Soldiers" was a huge success this fall.

Trey Rolnick raised $11,717 to cover buying and shipping care packages of toiletries and basic winter essentials, such as blankets, hats, and, gloves, to the 75 or so members of his sister's unit in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Sam Rolnick's a 2nd Lieutenant in the Sky Soldiers.

"Some of them are 18, 19," the Felix Festa Middle School student told Patch back in November. "That could be me in four to five years. They must miss their families terribly. I started this just thinking they could use some holiday cheer."

When the pandemic in Italy hit the news, "we were absolutely terrified," Trey said. "But it seems like they have coped through very well. They are taking all the safety precautions."

The men and women he sent the presents to let him know how much they appreciated it, posing for a photo earlier in December.

Then the 13-year-old got a present of his own. Watch the video clip above. Then look at the difference a couple of Christmases make: