KAFB firefighters spread holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexandria Crawford
  • Kirtland Public Affairs

The Kirtland Fire Department hosted Operation Holiday Cheer on Dec. 20 at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. 

This annual event provides a full holiday meal to underprivileged families from local communities. In addition, children visit with Santa, who sends them home with a gift donated by caring folks from the base and around the city.   

“These events help build a good relationship with the Albuquerque community,” said Fire Station chief Matthew Woods.  “It’s great that we get to bring them on the base and show them what the base is doing for them.”

Woods says that these events are held to show the community that Team Kirtland cares about them.

“We’re feeding roughly 2000 people in need,” Woods said.  “We feed them, we entertain them here for a little bit, and then we have the children come through and we give them a gift.”

With nearly 500 families in attendance, several parents were thankful to have a little help this Christmas.

“As a mother, all I want is for my kids to be happy,” said Janet, who participated in Operation Holiday Cheer.  “The smiles on their faces today is the best gift I could have asked for.  I’m just so thankful.”

Even though visiting with Santa was the last part of the event, the children said it was well worth the wait.

“I got a NERF gun set,” said Ashton, 9.  “It looks so cool and I can’t wait to use it.  I totally wasn’t expecting it.”