First shirts raise money for holiday Published Nov. 18, 2011 By Danny Monahan 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base -- The Kirtland Air Force Base First Sergeants Council will conduct a Thanksgiving fundraiser for Airmen in need from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in front of the commissary and the Exchange. The money raised from the annual event provides a Thanksgiving dinner complete with a turkey, cornbread, mashed potatoes and more for about 200 Airmen and their families. The goal is to raise $4,000. "Some of our young Airmen with large families are not doing well financially, so every bit counts," said Master Sgt. Jason Raley, 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "We'll have kids drop in a few pennies and some adults write a check." Many Airmen have already been identified to receive a Thanksgiving dinner, but others in need can approach their first sergeant to see if they can receive one. Airmen will receive a voucher from their first sergeant to pick up the dinner at the commissary starting at 3:30 p.m. Monday. The First Sergeants Council will host a Christmas dinner fundraiser in December. "We want everyone to enjoy Thanksgiving," said Raley. "Many of our leaders here, officers and NCOs, were once young enlisted Airmen who know how difficult it can be trying to raise a family. This is an opportunity to take care of our own." For more information on the Thanksgiving fundraiser, call Sergeant Raley at 486-4302.