Canadian troops are risking their lives in Afghanistan. They are doing so at the request of our government in support of building a democracy in that country. Afghanistan was a country that  formerly provided training for terrorists to carry out their war on us and our allies. Success in the adoption of democracy in Afghanistan will provide an example to people everywhere.

This operation is more than a peacekeeping exercise. It carries with it a significant level of danger from a brutal enemy that does not want democracy to take hold. It presents Canada as a force for the support and growth of democracy worldwide. For that reason, the Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD) commends the Canadian Government and the Canadian Armed Forces for undertaking this initiative.

While these commendations are appropriate at an organizational level, it is individual Canadians who are risking their lives in the support of democracy in Afghanistan. Some one thousand (1000) of our finest men and women are working away from their families in very extreme and dangerous conditions. Therefore, the Canadian Coalition for Democracies is initiating a campaign that will ensure that the soldiers risking their lives on our behalf and in support of democracy receive our thanks in a well defined manner.

The plan is simple. The Canadian Coalition for Democracies is in partnership with the Canada Christian College and other generous participants. Together, we are asking Canadians to make donations that will be spent for the purchase of Holiday gifts for each soldier in Afghanistan. CCC will issue charitable receipts for the full amount of your donation (CRA Charitable Registration 869541540RR0001). We are all volunteers, so your donation will go 100% to the mission of Operation Rudolph. We will also be sending letters of appreciation from Canadian students and adults for our soldiers' selfless and heroic efforts in building democracy and security. The gift packages will be delivered with the help of the Department of Defence, together with the letters, in a ceremony in Afghanistan prior to Christmas 2005.

The success of the campaign depends on you, Canadian citizens. We are asking for your support in this very worthwhile initiative -- no amount is too small. We will make sure that the gift packages get to our troops on the front lines. Operation Rudolph is 100% volunteer - every penny goes to the front line.

Please click here to make a secure online donation to Operation Rudolph. It only takes a minute. Your information will be kept strictly confidential. Or, if you prefer, please call 1-877-383-8320 to donate. Your donation is fully tax-deductible.

James Hunter and Mike Diamond

Co-Chairs

Operation Rudolph

Canadian Coalition for Democracies