Warm hearts
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 21, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/ETHAN SMITH
Airmen on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base unload turkeys donated by Butterball as part of Operation Warm Heart, which helped to provide hundreds of families on base with food for holiday meals.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is well-known for taking care of its own.
And this holiday season, the airmen on base went above and beyond.
This year's Operation Warm Heart saw 250 turkeys and holiday boxes passed out to airmen and families on base on Thursday in need of a little extra help during the Christmas season.
Usually, Operation Warm Heart takes place near Thanksgiving. But this year, "Feed the Children" came on base during Thanksgiving, allowing the airmen to receive two holiday meals for their families instead of just one.
"The airmen got a bit of a double-banger this year with Feed the Children coming on base during Thanksgiving, and that enabled us to bump our operation back and give families two meals this year," said Sgt. Heather Mousseau, who headed up the initiative.
And the families who were able to receive two holiday meals this season were more than thankful for the gift.
"They're kind of bowled over when we deliver meals to them," Sgt. Mousseau said. "There's a lot of tears and 'thank-yous' because you know how things can get sort of tight near the holidays."
Tech Sgt. Christopher Stone was one of this year's recipients of the turkey and holiday box giveaway. His family has eight children to provide for.
"I'll put it this way, sir -- to go grocery shopping for one day costs me $110, and that's for breakfast, lunch and dinner for my family," Stone said. "To do a holiday meal, all the stuff costs my family about $200. It is amazing to have something like this to take home and share with my family."
The turkeys were provided by Butterball, but the holiday boxes, which consisted of dressing and sides for the meal, were packed by items donated from all the squadrons on base.
In total, the 14 squadrons on base involved in collecting the items gathered 600 boxes of potatoes, 600 boxes of stuffing, 600 cans of yams, 600 boxes of pudding, 600 packets of gravy, 480 cans of cranberry sauce and 500 cans of corn.
Sgt. Mousseau said a first sergeant in each squadron placed a collection bin outside of their offices, and airmen within that squadron began bringing the items for donations to the operation at least a month and a half in advance of Thursday.
"This gives the airmen a little bit of room to breathe during the holidays and takes away some of that stress," Sgt. Mousseau said.
Kathryn Koonce also received a turkey and holiday box on Thursday, and said it would provide a meal for herself, her child her sister and her sister's four children, as well as saving money on buying the goods needed to prepare a big holiday meal.
"I was selected through my squadron commander on base," Mrs. Koonce said. "This definitely helps us out because times are tough and it's great to have their support during the holidays. I'm planning on spending the holidays with my family."