Holidays, particularly Christmas, are always the most difficult times for military families to be separated from their loved ones.

That’s why Christmas Décor of Roswell wants to put some light into one family’s life through its seventh annual Decorated Family program.

“There are a bunch of folks out there fighting for us. For their moms and dads and wives and children, who don’t have them home for Christmas, they’re making this sacrifice that’s sometimes getting forgotten,” said company owner Terry Kraft, who also owns Lawn South.

Hundreds of Christmas Decor franchisees nationwide take part in this event by donating their products, resources and time to decorate the homes of local military families. Kraft has participated in past years, but doesn’t have a candidate for this Christmas season.

“A name usually comes in to me by now, and I’ve been so busy I’ve been waiting for someone to contact me, but it hasn’t happened this year,” he said.

To spread this holiday cheer, the Neighbor is partnering with the company to find the ideal local candidate.

Readers are invited to nominate their own family or a deserving military family they know. Candidates must either have a family member on active duty or one who has been wounded while serving the country.

Nominations should be emailed to the Neighbor by no later than the day after Thanksgiving. Kraft will choose the winning family, who will be notified the following week. The Decorated Family Program began in 2005 after a Christmas Décor franchisee attended a holiday dinner party and began to consider all of the men and women overseas who will not be able to celebrate with those they love.

The program was created to thank the country’s military for their dedication and support by decorating their families’ homes. In a release from the national office of Christmas Décor, a Phenix City, Ga. military wife whose home was decorated for a past holiday related how much the program meant.

“It kind of brought the holidays here because before it was going to be a low-key Christmas,” said Kim Chapman, wife of deployed Spec. C.J. Chapman, a mechanic for the U.S. Army. Kim’s husband was able to see his home decorated briefly upon his arrival home after a tour overseas before having to return to Fort Worth, Ga. for reintegration classes.

“It was probably one of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever had. It’s pretty much like a dream come true,” he said. Since its inception in 1986, Christmas Decor has become one of the most significant holiday lighting and decorating companies in North America, with units in more than 350 markets in 48 states and Canada.

To nominate a family:

To submit a candidate, answer the questions below and email your response to:

nfulton@neighbornewspapers.com by Nov. 23. The candidate selected will be notified the following week. Nominees must live in Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta or Johns Creek.

Please Include:

Your Name

Name of Military Family

City of residence for Military Family

Your Email Address

Your Phone Number

Why This Military Family Should Be Decorated