JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
"My job is people, everyone is my business; I dedicate my time and energy to their needs; their health, morale, discipline and welfare; I grow in strength by strengthening my people," an excerpt from the First Sergeant's Creed.
The Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, First Sergeant Council is hosting its annual Operation Warmheart Thanksgiving basket drive, where baskets are created and delivered to more than 575 less fortunate Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia families.
Operation Warmheart is a nonprofit organization established to receive, manage and distribute charitable funds to JBLE families. The Thanksgiving basket drive is the largest direct effort it has to give back during the year.
"Operation Warmheart is one avenue for first sergeants to provide Thanksgiving baskets and monetary donations for any family on JBLE in need," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michelle Mathews, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and event coordinator. "Taking care of people is our main goal in life, that's our sole purpose, people are our business."
Beginning Nov. 7 at the Langley Exchange and Commissary, OWH will be collecting food items for the Thanksgiving baskets. The baskets will include all the traditional staples of a Thanksgiving meal: cornbread, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and more. A $25 gift card is included with the basket so the receiving family can make the selection of a full-sized turkey or ham.
"We love to get as many donations as needed," said Master Sgt. Dathan Hayes, 633rd Medical Group first sergeant and Langley First Sergeant Council president. "Last year we made our goal of 100 percent and I have no doubt we will do it again this year."
The majority of the distributions OWH will be made during the holiday; however, special grants may be handed out, throughout the year as emergencies arise. OWH's grants have assisted with car repairs for a single parent and travel and lodging costs for an airman who needed to travel overseas with their spouse for a kidney transplant.
"Warmheart is ongoing, it's an everyday thing, every day someone needs help, be it kids who need coats or families who are just in need," said Mathews. "It's about taking care of all the members in our units."
If you are interested in donating food or monetary items or would like to be one of the 300 volunteers to help OWH, contact a First Sergeant.