Operation Warm Heart

Members of the First Sergeants Council form an assembly line to help put together Thanksgiving turkey baskets for Airmen at the Community Activities Center at Beale Air Force Base Nov. 21, 2011. More than 200 baskets were made during the council’s Operation Warm Heart event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)

Operation Warm Heart

Master Sgt. Rebecca Hancock, 9th Medical Support Squadron, helps another Beale first Sergeant put the finishing touches on a turkey basket at the Community Activity Center on Beale Air Force Base Nov. 21, 2011. The baskets were made by the First Sergeants Council for Operation Warm Heart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo/Released)

Operation Warm Heart helps Beale Airmen

Published Nov. 23, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo
9th RW Public Aiffairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- In preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, first sergeants from around the base helped put together food baskets at the Community Activity Center Nov. 21 as a part of Operation Warm Heart.

Operation Warm Heart is a program managed by the First Sergeant's Council and is geared toward helping and supporting Airmen and their families during any time of need. Every year the council organizes turkey baskets for Thanksgiving to give to Airmen and their families.

"This is the First Sergeant Council's big event of the year, and it's nice to see everyone come together and help those in need," said Master Sgt. Robert McBride, training manager of the 9th Medical Group. "It's Airmen taking care of Airmen."

The first sergeants put together 208 turkey baskets using a make shift assembly line. Each Basket came with all the traditional Thanksgiving staples including a turkey, stuffing, gravy, a variety of canned vegetables, bread rolls, a dessert, and of course the cranberry sauce.

"It's Thanksgiving dinner-in-a-bag," said Master Sgt. Chad Hepner, Wing Staff Agency first sergeant. "In the last seven years, I've haven't seen this many baskets, we're definitely helping out a lot of people."

The OWH program is funded through donations from individuals and organizations, including a fundraiser where the FSC bagged groceries at the commissary to raise over $1,500 dollars to help purchase the turkeys this year.

"Amazing, when people come out and take time out of their day to help the less fortunate, it's just amazing," said Master Sgt. Rebecca Hancock, 9th Medical Support Squadron and member of the FSC. "It's nice to see so many people help and support this [OWH]."

For more information and to donate to Operation Warm Heart contact First Sergeant Council representatives Master Sgt. Chad Hepner at 634-2251 or Master Sgt. Nathan Schmidt at 634-2349