Fort Worth, Texas --More than 90 Airmen and family members from the 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard, volunteered their time during the 2016 Snowball Express at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Sunday, Dec. 11.
“The biggest part we play here is being visible to the families who’ve lost their service member,” said Maj. Camille LaDrew, the 136th Logistic Readiness Operations Officer. “They’re still apart of the military family regardless of their military member having since passed. This event gives back so much.”
Snowball Express volunteers were able to support more than 1,900 children of fallen heroes who’ve died since 9/11.
The volunteers were here to cheer the children on, make the day fun and just have a blast, said Tech Sgt. Stephen Jeffrey, Recruiter, 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard. Jeffrey volunteered with his wife and three children. They dressed up in Christmas hats and elf shoes to make the volunteering experience even more fun.
“My main thing in life is how we impact others in this world,” said Jeffrey. “Even though I do volunteer quite a bit throughout the year, I feel like I never do enough. I want my footprint on this world to be much larger. Anytime I see something that I want to participate in that’s going to make a difference in people’s lives, that’s when I decide to volunteer.”
Jeffrey and his family were among the many volunteers. All who volunteered did everything they could to make the arrival more exciting and welcoming for the children.
“We had quite a few more volunteers this year,” said LaDrew, who is also the overall military coordinator for the event. “That includes both military members and their families.”
The children were greeted with cheers and applause from the volunteers who showed their support. Service members and civilians alike made up the welcome party and cheered at the gates once they arrived. Upon arrival the children were able to enjoy the festivities that lined the airport gates in the terminal. These activities included games, hula dancing and limbo. The children enjoyed music, popcorn and snow cones.
The fun and games at the airport was only the beginning of the experience. Once the children left they were escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, who are a 100 percent volunteer organization, to begin the four-day experience.
The event has many activities planned for the children around the Dallas Fort Worth area that includes the annual “walk of gratitude,” a concert with Gary Sinise & The Lt. DanBand and the annual “Snowball Express TalentShowcase.”
Jeffrey said next year he plans on being more involved, and would like to make volunteering in the Snowball Express a family tradition.
For more information on future Snowball Express events visit their website at www.snowballexpress.org.
Date Taken: | 12.11.2016 |
Date Posted: | 12.21.2016 08:28 |
Story ID: | 218368 |
Location: | FORT WORTH, TX, US |
Hometown: | DALLAS, TX, US |
Hometown: | FORT WORTH, TX, US |
Web Views: | 126 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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