Team Kirtland spreads holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  In addition to enjoying unit holiday parties during the holiday season, Team Kirtland celebrates the joy of giving through multiple events that benefit people from nearby civilian communities and military families.

The Kirtland AFB Fire Department will host "Operation Holiday Cheer" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 19. The 34th annual outreach program serves the nearby community to help provide people less fortunate with some comforts of the season. The program provides children with toys and a chance to meet Santa, and a meal for families and senior citizens.

The Marine Corps unit on base operates the "Toys for Tots" program, which collects donated toys to brighten the holidays for underprivileged children and families throughout the Albuquerque area.

The Kirtland AFB Honor Guard collected food, clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags and blankets for homeless people served by the Albuquerque Rescue Mission.

The 377th Force Support Squadron organized the Dec. 8 Hearts Apart Children's Christmas Party and Luncheon at the Mountain View Club. The event recognizes all service members who deployed or served on a remote tour during 2012, their families, and the families of those currently deployed.

Kirtland AFB first sergeants manage a program called "Operation Warm Heart" to provide financial assistance to Airmen and their families in need, during the holiday season and throughout the year. The first sergeants use money collected to buy food and holiday gifts for Airmen and their families.

Kirtland AFB unit first sergeants are also collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Airmen's Attic Toy Drive through Dec. 14. The toy giveaway, for E-1 to E-5 families with children, will be at the Kirtland AFB Chapel from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. For more information, email Christina.Krisinger@Kirtland.af.mil or call 846-6743.

During a holiday toy drive called "Operation Homefront," the Airman & Family Readiness Center and volunteers collected toys from local Dollar Tree Stores for distribution to first sergeants across the base.

The 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 16, led a Team Kirtland drive to collect clothing, shoes and jackets for children and adults for a local homeless/rehabilitation center.

Team Kirtland families who are looking for child care during holiday parties or late-night shopping trips can call Family Child Care at 846-1802 for details about how FCC providers can help.

In addition to enjoying unit holiday parties during the holiday season, Team Kirtland celebrates the joy of giving through multiple events that benefit people from nearby civilian communities and military families.

The Kirtland AFB Fire Department will host "Operation Holiday Cheer" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 19. The 34th annual outreach program serves the nearby community to help provide people less fortunate with some comforts of the season. The program provides children with toys and a chance to meet Santa, and a meal for families and senior citizens.

The Marine Corps unit on base operates the "Toys for Tots" program, which collects donated toys to brighten the holidays for underprivileged children and families throughout the Albuquerque area.

The Kirtland AFB Honor Guard collected food, clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags and blankets for homeless people served by the Albuquerque Rescue Mission.

The 377th Force Support Squadron organized the Dec. 8 Hearts Apart Children's Christmas Party and Luncheon at the Mountain View Club. The event recognizes all service members who deployed or served on a remote tour during 2012, their families, and the families of those currently deployed.

Kirtland AFB first sergeants manage a program called "Operation Warm Heart" to provide financial assistance to Airmen and their families in need, during the holiday season and throughout the year. The first sergeants use money collected to buy food and holiday gifts for Airmen and their families.

Kirtland AFB unit first sergeants are also collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Airmen's Attic Toy Drive through Dec. 14. The toy giveaway, for E-1 to E-5 families with children, will be at the Kirtland AFB Chapel from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. For more information, email Christina.Krisinger@Kirtland.af.mil or call 846-6743.

During a holiday toy drive called "Operation Homefront," the Airman & Family Readiness Center and volunteers collected toys from local Dollar Tree Stores for distribution to first sergeants across the base.

The 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 16, led a Team Kirtland drive to collect clothing, shoes and jackets for children and adults for a local homeless/rehabilitation center.

Team Kirtland families who are looking for child care during holiday parties or late-night shopping trips can call Family Child Care at 846-1802 for details about how FCC providers can help.

The Kirtland AFB Family Advocacy Office provided a series of seminars at the base chapel on ways to reduce the effects of holiday stress on individuals and families.

The base's annual unit holiday card competition judging took place Nov. 29. The 377th Comptroller Squadron's entry came in first, earning $500. Placing second and claiming $300 was the 377th Air Base Wing, with the Air Force Inspection Agency taking third and $250. The handmade, oversized greeting cards were set up along Wyoming Boulevard in late November and will stay up through New Year's Day.

The annual base tree-lighting festival and holiday bazaar also took place in front of the base chapel Nov. 29. The gift/craft bazaar was followed by Santa's arrival and the illumination of the Christmas tree.

The Kirtland Spouses Club will collect holiday cookies and baked goods from Dec. 10 through Dec. 15 for all base dormitory residents. The KSC will pick up items at donors' homes Dec. 13 or they can bring them to the Mountain View Club between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Email KirtlandSC@gmail.com to schedule a pickup or for a list of more drop-off locations.