When her husband Spc. Nigel Davis deployed, Brenda Davis prepared herself to deal with whatever happened during his absence.

So when the family car broke down, a 1997 model, she went for assistance.  She was directed to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that offers assistance primarily to privates through sergeants.

As directed, she took the car to Firestone for an estimate, and learned that it would cost more to repair the car than it was worth, she said.

"Operation Homefront was not able to help with the car repairs, so I had to get a loan," said Davis who is working on a nursing degree.

However, the organization helped in another way.  The Davis family, who resides on Fort Lewis, was selected as one of five families to receive a shopping spree from Walmart.

When she broke the news to her husband he was overjoyed, she said.

"He was ecstatic," she said. "He had been stressing because he wasn't here to help me when the car broke down.  So he was really happy about the Christmas money."

It made a world of difference to the Davis family, which comprises three children who reside with the couple, and one who does not.

"Prior to going to Walmart, I didn't know how much the shopping spree would be, but it was exciting," she said. "It's great to know there is an organization out there that can do something when soldiers and their families need help."

Spending the money was no problem, she said.  Each of her children made a list of the top ten things they wanted for Christmas, and she was able to purchase everything on their lists, she said.

"I was there bargain shopping for three hours," she said. "I bought the kids winter clothes, and the youngest two got bikes that they have been pestering me for."