LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Parishioners from Langley Chapel community gathered at the Bethel Chapel Oct. 17 to pack up the first of several shipments of care packages for Langley's deployed chaplains and the Airmen to whom they minister.
So far, the "Head-to-Toe" deployed ministry project has collected and shipped 13 boxes of clothing, snack and drink items to Chaplains (Capt.) Terri Gast and (Capt.) Cliff Jones.
Chaplain Gast, who is currently the only chaplain deployed to the Air Force hospital in Afghanistan that treats trauma patients. Many patients enter the hospital through the emergency room, where their clothes are cut from their bodies so medical personnel can respond quickly injuries. Chaplain Gast's office provides replacement clothing to patients upon discharge. Chaplain Gast also coordinates humanitarian missions, where medical personnel distribute bags of clothing, school supplies, blankets and baby items to Afghani patients exiting coalition forces hospitals.
Chaplain Jones, who is deployed to Balad Air Base, focuses his efforts on "Troy's Place" Airmen Ministry Center, which was named in honor of Maj. Troy "Trojan" Gilbert, an F-16 pilot who was killed in action Nov. 27, 2006, during his deployment to Balad. Chaplain Jones works to provide a quiet place where troops can relax in their off-duty time. He, his chaplain assistant and his volunteers ensure there are many comfort items, such as videos, books, magazines, games, music and toiletries, as well as snacks, drinks and coffee for the troops.
The chapel is still accepting donations for the hospital in Afghanistan and the Airmen Ministry Center in Balad, and volunteers plan to send donations every week until the first week of December. The hospital in Afghanistan can use socks, underwear, plain T-shirts, pants and athletic shoes. People who are interested in donating items to Troy's Place, in Balad can bring individual snack packets, candy, gum, drink mixes, coffee and tea. People can also donate hygiene items such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap or shower gel. Batteries are also appreciated. All items can be donated to the Langley Chapel Annex. For more information, call the chapel at 764-7847.