Airmen find joy in giving
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --
While deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Christina Nelson and Senior Airman David Adams, of the 319th Communications Squadron, saw a need. They also had the vision to fill that need.
Many children of war-torn Iraq do not have running water, much less toys to play with or shoes to wear. In addition, Airmen deployed to forward operating bases did not have access to goods normally sold in Army/Air Force Exchange facilities.
"We [the 332 ECS booster club] wanted to do something that would support our military members and the Iraqi community; an outreach program for both," said Sergeant Nelson.
They were able to do just that, with a little help from Americans and a Pittsburgh newspaper.
The outreach is part of an effort "to leave a location better than we found it," Airman Adams told the newspaper in November. "We would like to distribute the items in time for Thanksgiving."
Sergeant Nelson and Airman Adams' efforts paid off.
Within three weeks, the 332 ECS booster club members started seeing packages arrive.
"Getting mail for any reason was nice," Airman Adams said. "But it's especially exciting when you know it's going to help someone."
"I received donations at my deployed location from people all over the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Florida," he added.
"A lot of donations were for our Airmen that weren't on base," Sergeant Nelson said, referring to the Airman stationed at FOBs throughout Iraq. "[They] were just three or four deep at these locations. We felt it was important to take care of them."
In addition to towels, sheets, soap and sporting equipment for the FOB Airmen who were embedded with Iraqis, Sergeant Nelson and Airman Adams received toys and clothes for the local Iraqi children.
"We always wanted to get stuff for them because some of them are less fortunate than our own children; we wanted to give something back," she said.
Despite being unable to distribute the goods themselves due to heightened security, Sergeant Nelson and Airman Adams knew the people to get in touch with to ensure the children got their gifts.
"We arranged with security forces and other squadrons that do [go off base] to distribute the toys to the children," Airman Adams said.
"We gave them to Army units as they went outside the wire and to Medivac crews," Sergeant Nelson added. "When they landed to pick up their patients, there were always a bunch of Iraqis around, so it was something they can give when they take the patients out."
According to Sergeant Nelson, the 332 ECS is still receiving donations.
"As soon as we would get donations out to be delivered, we would receive more," she said. "We had trouble keeping up sometimes."
But, there was at least one time that Sergeant Nelson got to see the reward of her hard work.
"On Christmas day, I was able to go to the hospital to give toys to the kids," she recalled. "It was good to see a little bit of excitement on their faces."
According to Sergeant Nelson, the program she and other members of the 332 ECS started is still thriving today.
"The needs of our Airmen and the Iraqi people are being filled; that's what's important."
Many children of war-torn Iraq do not have running water, much less toys to play with or shoes to wear. In addition, Airmen deployed to forward operating bases did not have access to goods normally sold in Army/Air Force Exchange facilities.
"We [the 332 ECS booster club] wanted to do something that would support our military members and the Iraqi community; an outreach program for both," said Sergeant Nelson.
They were able to do just that, with a little help from Americans and a Pittsburgh newspaper.
The outreach is part of an effort "to leave a location better than we found it," Airman Adams told the newspaper in November. "We would like to distribute the items in time for Thanksgiving."
Sergeant Nelson and Airman Adams' efforts paid off.
Within three weeks, the 332 ECS booster club members started seeing packages arrive.
"Getting mail for any reason was nice," Airman Adams said. "But it's especially exciting when you know it's going to help someone."
"I received donations at my deployed location from people all over the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Florida," he added.
"A lot of donations were for our Airmen that weren't on base," Sergeant Nelson said, referring to the Airman stationed at FOBs throughout Iraq. "[They] were just three or four deep at these locations. We felt it was important to take care of them."
In addition to towels, sheets, soap and sporting equipment for the FOB Airmen who were embedded with Iraqis, Sergeant Nelson and Airman Adams received toys and clothes for the local Iraqi children.
"We always wanted to get stuff for them because some of them are less fortunate than our own children; we wanted to give something back," she said.
Despite being unable to distribute the goods themselves due to heightened security, Sergeant Nelson and Airman Adams knew the people to get in touch with to ensure the children got their gifts.
"We arranged with security forces and other squadrons that do [go off base] to distribute the toys to the children," Airman Adams said.
"We gave them to Army units as they went outside the wire and to Medivac crews," Sergeant Nelson added. "When they landed to pick up their patients, there were always a bunch of Iraqis around, so it was something they can give when they take the patients out."
According to Sergeant Nelson, the 332 ECS is still receiving donations.
"As soon as we would get donations out to be delivered, we would receive more," she said. "We had trouble keeping up sometimes."
But, there was at least one time that Sergeant Nelson got to see the reward of her hard work.
"On Christmas day, I was able to go to the hospital to give toys to the kids," she recalled. "It was good to see a little bit of excitement on their faces."
According to Sergeant Nelson, the program she and other members of the 332 ECS started is still thriving today.
"The needs of our Airmen and the Iraqi people are being filled; that's what's important."
