Operation Warm Heart and the Angel Tree Program

  • Published
  • By Apolynne McCarthy
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
Goodfellow AFB, Texas --  Do you want to lend a helping hand during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays? Operation Warm Heart gives that opportunity to all who are interested. This is a program that distributes food and gifts to help the community of Team Goodfellow. Funds are used throughout the year to assist those in need of emergency financial assistance. Warm Heart is available to all members of the Goodfellow community.

"The difference between Goodfellow and other bases I've been stationed at is we have a boat-load of toys given to the Christmas Warm Heart effort by the San Angelo Apartment Association," said Master Sgt. Thomas Desantis, 315th Training Squadron, First Sergeant Council president.

Operation Warm Heart's plan for the upcoming holidays is to give out approximately 200-250 food baskets. The collection dates are scheduled for Nov. 7 and Nov. 21 at the commissary for Thanksgiving. There is a shopping list of what is needed in terms of food at the commissary entrance. In addition, there's a drop-off box near the commissary exit for non-perishable items on dates other than the scheduled collection dates.

"This year we have over $12,000 from various organizations both on and off base. We have seen an unprecedented outpouring of support from the Goodfellow community as well as the city of San Angelo," said Master Sgt. Desantis.

The items that Warm Heart needs most are stuffing, boxed potatoes and gravy. However, any non-perishable items that families will typically have during their traditional meal are accepted.

"This year is designated as the Year of the Air Force Family -- for us here at Goodfellow, it is also Year of the Military Family. Programs like Operation Warm Heart are just one of those ways that Team Goodfellow families help each other out," said Master Sgt. Linda McGinnis-Weber, 17th Training Support Squadron First Sergeant.

There is also an opportunity to give through the Angel Tree program. This is a program where people can pick an angel off the Christmas Tree in front of the Base Exchange, buy a gift card of any amount and give it to customer service to give to the First Sergeants Council. The cards are then distributed along with the food baskets the week prior to Christmas.

Volunteers from units throughout the Goodfellow community participate in collecting items and putting together the food baskets. To volunteer or for more information contact your unit first sergeant for details.