Holiday programs, competition set to assist Reserve families Published Nov. 9, 2014 By Master Sgt. Minnette Mason 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Asking for assistance during the holidays is not something Reserve Airmen are accustomed to doing. But for the past 10 years, the 446th Airlift Wing has operated various programs to assist with food and other festive needs for Airmen and their families. These programs include the holiday food baskets, Christmas/Angel Tree, and Care and Share. Tech. Sgt. Troy Gordon, who is now an Airman and family readiness technician here, shared his personal experience of how the program was helpful when he was a fuels technician with the 446th Logistics Readiness Flight. He needed surgery, and his mobility was limited. "I wasn't working. I was barely scraping by with everything, and then I got a basket. It was ," he said with a smile. The Airman & Family Readiness Center is now accepting donations for dinner baskets that will be prepared and donated to more families in need. Currently, a wing-wide competition is in effect until Nov. 17. Each dollar and food item donated is considered one item. Cash donations and food gift cards are also accepted and can be used to purchase perishable items, such as milk and eggs, or for members who live outside the local area. "We know how many [people] are in each squadron," explained Carl Supplee, A&FRC director. The squadron who donates the highest food or dollar per capita will earn recognition and a trophy. In addition to food baskets, collections for the wing Christmas/Angel Tree will be accepted beginning Nov. 18. This program allows sponsoring Airmen to choose a tag from the tree and provide holiday gifts for a 446th Reserve member family. "We've gotten requests for anything from shoes, games, video games and dolls [for children] to gift cards for parents who may not be able to afford anything," Supplee said. Both the holiday food basket program and the Christmas/Angel Tree generally operate through the wing's Care and Share, which is year-round program. Any non-perishable food items, monetary donations or clothing that is not distributed during the holidays is later made available to Airmen in need throughout the year. Reservists are encouraged to nominate families in need, or self-nominate now. Holiday wish lists should include the total number of family members, as well as names, ages and sex of the children. Food allergies should also be declared. Lastly, volunteers will later be needed to help assemble food baskets and deliver later this month and in December. Airmen who wish to volunteer or contribute should contact their squadron first sergeant. A collection box is also located outside of the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 1207. Those dropping off donations to the collection box, however, should leave their names so their unit can receive credit for this year's competition, Supplee said. For more information, please call 982-5330 or send an e-mail to carl.supplee.1@us.af.mil.