volunteer with long brown hair and wearing a delta airlines shirt hangs up a winter coat during winter gear up, a holiday giveaway program

Winter Gear Up

Open to Military Children in Preschool–Grade 12

Winter Gear Support for School-Age Kids

Get your child winter-ready with ASYMCA’s Winter Gear Up! This program prepares school-age military children for Alaska winters by providing coats, boots, snow pants, hats, scarves, and gloves at no cost. Registration is required.

Winter Gear Up is a statewide program. We offer in-person pickup for service members located near JBER, Ft. Wainwright, and Eielson. We offer delivery options for service members located in remote locations.

Registration is now closed for the 2024 program. Check back Summer 2025!

In-Person Locations: This program is available in-person to those in the JBER, Fort Wainwright, and Eielson areas. This program is open to children (pre-K through grade 12) of active duty military members of all ranks permanently stationed in Alaska. Military ID is required.

  • E1–E5 Priority Registration: 2025 registration TBA
  • All Ranks: 2025 registration TBA

Remote Locations: Registration is required. All registrants must meet the following qualifications:

  • E1–E5
  • Permanently stationed in Alaska
  • Have dependent children (pre-K through grade 12)

Eielson Air Force Base

  • September 9, 2024, from 1:00–6:00 p.m.
  • Eielson Spouse’s Club Thrift Shop at 365 Kodiak St. | Eielson AFB

Fort Wainwright

  • September 16, 2024, from 1:00–6:00 p.m.
  • Education Center at 4391 Neely Rd. | Ft. Wainwright

JBER Teen Preview Night

  • Date TBA from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
  • 724 Quartermaster Rd. | JBER (next to the ASYMCA Bargain Shop on JBER-Richardson)

JBER

  • September 23, 2024, from 1:00–6:00 p.m.
  • 724 Quartermaster Rd. | JBER (next to the ASYMCA Bargain Shop on JBER-Richardson)

Yes, the following remote locations are available.

  • Kodiak
  • Sitka
  • Juneau
  • Valdez
  • Cordova
  • Fort Greeley

Registration is required all participants, including those at remote locations. Participants at remote locations will need to complete an order form and schedule a brief virtual video call with ASYMCA staff. Details for these two steps will be emailed to each participant after remote registration closes.

Winter Gear Up is available by 30-minute appointments throughout the state. Registered families will be emailed a link to sign up for a time slot no less then two (2) days before their appointment date.

We recommend one parent/guardian per shopper. Strollers must be parked outside the facility during your appointment.

Teens are encouraged to join the appointment to select gear that fits their personal style and size. Children 7 and under must remain with their parent/guardian at all times.

If we do not have what you need, ASYMCA staff will contact you after the event to ensure your children have the gear they need to stay warm.

If you can’t make your appointment, please email us at events@akasymca.org or call 907-552-9622 so we can help other families gear up for winter. No-call, no-shows may miss out on future ASYMCA programs.