JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Langley Air Force Base Airmen Committed to Excellence organization hosted the "Share the Love" food drive at Langley AFB, Feb. 20.
For the first time in its history, ACE teamed up with Fort Eustis' Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers organization, who also contributed to the event.
"We are always looking for an opportunity to give back to the community," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mara Acevedo, ACE president. "Food drives give us that chance, and we know this benefits the less fortunate."
ACE hosted two food drives - the first at the base commissary on Feb. 14, and the other at the "Share the Love" event. More than 500 pounds of food was donated and given the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank, which is equivalent to about 425 meals served, said Donna Tighe, VPFB food drive coordinator.
"Our [Joint Base Langley-Eustis] Service members constantly strive to give back," said Tighe. "Not only do they show love to the less fortunate in our community, but they always give 110 percent in coordinating these events, which ends up bringing in even more donations."
BOSS came to Langley to help coordinate the event and show support to their fellow Service members through additional donations to VPFB.
"We are excited to reach out to our fellow [Service members]" said U.S. Army Spc. Adam Bradford, BOSS vice president. "At BOSS, we hope this partnership leads to better improvements in the community through joint volunteer work. We believe this will further the bond between the Army and Air Force at [JBLE]."
In addition to donations, ACE also recognized the ACE Airman of the Quarter award. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Emmette Bush, 1st Fighter Wing command chief, presented the award to Airman 1st Class Lindsay McEachron, ACE volunteer coordinator, and praised donors for their commitment to service and community.
"It is important we give back to the communities who support us each and every day at home and on deployment," said Bush. "The dedication to that mission sets us above the rest, and carrying that attitude over to our [JBLE] mission guarantees success in each and every challenge we face."