Operation Holiday Cheer’ set for Dec. 20 Published Dec. 16, 2011 By DJ Babbitt 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- As the holidays peer around the corner, many outreach programs are gearing up to reach out into the local community and help provide people less fortunate with some comforts the holiday season offers. For the 33rd year, the Kirtland Fire Department will conduct "Operation Holiday Cheer" an outreach program that serves the community adjacent to the installation. The Kirtland Fire Department has teamed up with Albuquerque's East Central Community Center to provide children with toys, a chance to meet Santa and a meal for families and senior citizens. In 2010, the program fed 2,000 people, and organizers expect record-breaking attendance this year. Operation Holiday Cheer kicks off Tuesday. Seniors, families and children will be picked up from the community center and driven on base to eat at the Kirtland Fire Station No. 2. For seniors, lunch will be served at 11 a.m.; for families and children, lunch will begin at noon. After the meal, Santa will arrive on a fire truck, bringing toys and goodies for the children. Festivities will conclude around 5 p.m. Milton Miller, Kirtland fire department lieutenant, said, "We do this to give back to the community and to show the children that we care for them. We want to thank parents and the community for their support of Team Kirtland." Operation Holiday Cheer depends on volunteers to help serve food, cleanup and assist seniors and families with children. "It can be a very busy day, but what keeps me going the day of Operation Holiday Cheer, is the faces of the children when they receive toys," said Miller. To volunteer for the event, call Ronnie Dexter at 846-8308 or 846-8227.