Operation Warm Heart holiday kick off

Master Sgt. Jason Davis, 489th Reconnaissance Squadron first sergeant, packs food in a bag held by Chief Master Sgt. Robert White, 9th Reconnaissance Wing command chief, Nov. 16, 2012, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. The food will be delivered to Airmen for Thanksgiving, kicking off the holiday season for Operation Warm Heart, a program supporting Airmen and their families during times of need. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

Operation Warm Heart holiday kick off

First sergeants and volunteers pose with 242 bags of food and turkeys after sorting them for delivery to Airmen, Nov. 16, 2012, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Beale's first sergeants partnered with more than 35 volunteers to assemble 242 bags of food as part of Operation Warm Heart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

Operation Warm Heart holiday kick off

Published Nov. 16, 2012
By Senior Airman Shawn Nickel
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Beale's first sergeants partnered with more than 35 volunteers Nov. 16 to put together 242 bags of food at the Community Activity Center here.

The food will be delivered to Airmen for Thanksgiving, kicking off the holiday season for Operation Warm Heart, a program supporting Airmen and their families during times of need.

"This is the First Sergeant Council's biggest event of the year," said Master Sgt. Andrew Flora, 9th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant. "We pride ourselves on taking care of our Airmen, and this is our big show of force."

Each bag came with all the traditional Thanksgiving staples including a turkey, dressing, gravy, a variety of canned vegetables, bread rolls, a dessert, and cranberry sauce.

"This is Airmen helping Airmen at its best," said Master Sgt. Joseph Cuthbertson, 9th Munitions Squadron first sergeant. "Our biggest challenge this year is having too many volunteers. Airmen have to stand around waiting for a chance to help. That's a good thing."

Operation Warm Heart is funded through donations from individuals and organizations. In addition, first sergeants work at fundraisers to supplement the community contributions.

"We haven't had the opportunity to do as much as we would like, but the community has really come through to make this a very successful event," Flora said.

For more information or to donate to Operation Warm Heart, contact First Sergeant Council representatives Master Sgt. Joseph Cuthbertson at 634-3514 or Master Sgt. Andrew Flora at 634-2946.