A festive foot march to a downtown soup kitchen served as physical training Friday for hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers who volunteered to hand-deliver gifts to the homeless.

More than 300 1st Brigade Combat Team soldiers let out a collective holler of “first to fight” as they departed Dorchester Park at 8 a.m. and embarked on Operation Happy Holidays, an annual 2-mile journey to the Marian House.

See pictures from the event here.

Soldiers donated canned goods and winter-weather items. Some of the battle-hardened GIs decided to bring along toys and books to spread holiday cheer, said Capt. Tanya Roman, a spokeswoman for the brigade.

“We’re out here to support the community and thank them for their support,” Roman said. “We don’t have a hard time getting soldiers to do this.”

Spc. Corrie Buerger showed up with a stuffed turtle strapped to the top of her rucksack.

“My friend got it for me when I was going through a hard time when I got back from Afghanistan two years ago,” Buerger said. “It lifted my spirits. Someone else needs him more than I do now.”

The generosity of fellow soldiers at last year’s march left an impression on her.

“Two soldiers gave away their jackets,” she said. “One was a friend, and she went without a jacket all winter.”

Nearby, Pfc. Shanna Rodriguez clutched a large stuffed Pooh Bear against her chest.

Anticipating children at the event, Rodriguez had asked her three boys to part with some toys.

“I think it’s great that we help out others in the Middle East, but to help out in our own country where we fly our flag – I’m excited,” she said.

More than 100 of Lt. Col. Geoff Norman’s soldiers showed up for the march Friday morning.Many of them had turned down an opportunity to go on a ski trip for single soldiers so they could participate in the march, he said.

“Giving a little bit back to the community is the least we can do to repay a debt of gratitude for the support they give us,” Norman said.

As soldiers emptied their rucksacks outside the Marian House at 9 a.m., tables that had minutes ago sat barren were soon piled head-high with cans of food, coats, fleece blankets, scarves, children’s books, dolls and packs of Silly Putty.

Soup kitchen clients filtered by the tables, placing items they wanted in bags and slinging clothing over their shoulders.

Rodriguez did not place her stuffed Pooh Bear on the table.

Instead, she searched for a child, eventually settling on a young boy who showed interest in it.

“Take care of him because I’ve had him for a long time,” she told the boy.

Rodriguez’s friend, Pfc. Heather Perry, handed a ladybug Pillow Pet to the boy’s sister, who walked away cuddling it with a large grin on her face.

“That felt very good,” said Perry as she placed her hand on her heart. “To see that little girl – that was awesome.”

Pfc. Heather Perry, left, and Pfc. Shanna Rodriguez hand out stuff animals at the Marian House Friday morning, Dec. 7, 2012. More than 300 soldiers and family members from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division marched from Dorchester Park on South Nevada Avenue along Fountain Creek to the Marian House in downtown Colorado Springs as part of Operation Happy Holidays. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Christian murdock