Photo By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio | Santa Claus teamed up with more than 20 volunteers from Ellsworth Air Force Base,...... read more read more
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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. - Airmen from the 28th Operations Group teamed up with Santa Claus Dec. 19 to take on a mission designed to ensure children in the community had a joyous holiday.
The mission was part of the 28th OG Angel Tree Program, where airmen from the base collect gifts for children in the Youth & Family Services Child Care program in Rapid City, S.D.
More than 20 volunteers assisted Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus distributing over 170 donated gifts to children enrolled in the program. This is the seventh year the 28th OG has conducted the program, one that Ellsworth airmen look forward to each year.
"I feel that being the lead on this project puts me in a position to be a role model for young airmen," said Master Sgt. Anthony Garcia, 28th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment superintendent. "It’s a huge privilege for me to even be a part of such a great program that allows Ellsworth to make the holiday special for children in the community."
Garcia explained that for many of the children, these would be the only gifts they would receive during the holiday season.
YFS is the largest human services organization of its kind in western South Dakota, providing services to more than 11,000 children, ages 0 to 18, and their families through the seven programs under the YFS umbrella.
The Angel Tree program is one of many base activities that not only provides gifts to children but also strengthens the relationship between Ellsworth, Rapid City and surrounding communities.
"The experience overall was extremely humbling,” said Senior Airman Valerie Jurado, 28th OSS intelligence analyst. “I was overwhelmed with happiness by the amount of gratitude and joy that the children showed us.”
| Date Taken: | 12.20.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2013 16:50 |
| Story ID: | 118554 |
| Location: | ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, SD, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Airmen give back to children in the local community, by SrA Alystria Maurer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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