PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti –
A group of Air Force firefighters, comprised of civil engineer Airmen from seven separate bases including Scott Air Force Base, have been serving in Haiti for more than a month, protecting airfield resources and serving alongside thousands of other international aid workers providing relief to the country.
But, shortly after arriving, the 24th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron recognized a different kind of need in the form of teddy bears.
With the assistance of his hometown church, St. John's Episcopal in Naples, Fla., and the Motivated by Love outreach program, Tech. Sgt. Kevin Hasselbach, deployed from the 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron in Langley AFB, Va., came up with "Operation Teddy Bear" to bring comfort to the children of Port-au-Prince.
"The sole purpose is to provide children suffering medical conditions from the earthquake a way to help cope with their problems" he said. "In all, 65 teddy bears were donated and sent to Haiti."
Master Sgt. Bradley Beaty, deployed from the 375th CES at Scott AFB, believes his time in Haiti is making a big difference, not only from a professional point of view, but personally, too.
"Since being here, we have provided safe airfield operations, helped families find closure by searching for remains and now we are bringing comfort and happiness to the children," said Sergeant Beaty. "We are using both our on- and off-duty time to bring relief to the people of Haiti."
Members of the 24th ECES fire department have also volunteered to assist the medical teams treating patients at the University of Miami field hospital.
"The smiles of these children can light up any room," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Silvis, deployed from the 436th CES in Dover AFB, Del. "Getting a chance to give them a bear as well as interact with them is one of the best therapies I know of."
The Airmen have also found a way around the language barrier through Senior Airman Lesly Toussaint, deployed from the 88th Aerial Port Squadron in Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Airman Toussaint was born and raised in Cap Haitien, Haiti, and joined the Air Force in February 2009. He uses his off-duty time to act as a translator between the Airmen and children.
As long as the need remains, the 24th ECES will continue to complete their mission in Haiti while also volunteering at every opportunity possible.
In addition to Scott, Langley, Dover, and McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, other bases that sent Airmen to assist in relief efforts are Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Charleston AFB, S.C.; Whiteman AFB, Mo.; and Shaw AFB, S.C.