News

Generosity comes from several fronts to benefit Reserve families

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash., --  Fifty-four families in the 446th Airlift Wing can be thankful this week for the generosity that flows through McChord Air Force Base from Reservists in the wing and from agencies such as the United Service Organizations.

The donated food is being put together in Thanksgiving Baskets to be given to Reserve families through the 446th Mission Support Squadron's Airmen & Family Readiness Center here.

The USO Puget Sound Area McChord Center here has spent the past few weeks accepting food donations from a variety of sources, to include a large donation from the Lakewood Rotary, Lakewood, Wash., and the Ford and Hyundai dealership of Kirkland, according to Tracye Kakely, from the USO Puget Sound Area McChord Center.

Additionally, Reservists throughout the wing donated dried goods, and 15 turkeys were donated by the Pierce Military Business Alliance, Lakewood, Wash., and the rest purchased with funds from the A&FRC's Care and Share budget.

"The reason that we do the Thanksgiving Basket program is to help every 446th member and family that finds themselves in a difficult time," said Carl Supplee, director of the Airmen & Family Readiness Center. "Even those Reserve families who don't live in the local area for us to deliver a basket too are being helped. For those families, we will be sending out gift cards to help with their holiday meal purchases."

Airmen taking care of Airmen is part of the Air Force way of life.

"When the members and families feel that they are appreciated, and taken care of, in whatever way we can, they will continue to participate in the Reserve, and help others in the future," said Mr. Supplee, who also is a Reservist serving as a lieutenant colonel in the role of chaplain.

After fulfilling the needs of Reserve families nominated for assistance, any leftover food items will be donated back to the community through a local shelter, according to Mr. Supplee.

According to Master Sgt. Steven Thomas, NCOIC of the A&FRC, families are confidentially nominated through their squadrons to the A&FRC for receipt of the Thanksgiving Baskets.

"We'll be doing the same for the December holidays, with baskets and gifts donated through our Angel Tree," said Sergeant Thomas.

Reservists interested in participating in the Angel Tree can stop by Bldg. 1207 anytime to select a gift tag from the tree. Each tag will have the requested gift item listed, or the age and gender of the recipient.