Having a Warmheart for the holidays Published Dec. 19, 2013 By Senior Airman Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Goodfellow 1st Sergeants' Council received a donation from the Doolttle Raiders Foundation for Operation Warmheart in the Norma Brown Building Dec. 10. Operation Warmheart is an Air Force First Sergeant program provided at Goodfellow throughout the year to help any base personnel in need. "We kind of have a saying, 'money in money out,'" said Senior Master Sgt. James Baxley, 17th Medical Group first sergeant. "It's not our money. People donate it to us, so we can give it away. Warmheart is there to provide any assistance all year round that is needed by an Airman. We do airline tickets, car seats and we've helped people with daycare issues." The Doolittle Raiders and Goodfellow made contact in March when retired Army-Air Corps Lt. Col. Richard Cole, one of the few remaining Doolittle Raiders, visited to share his military heritage. During his visit, he spoke of his fight in World War II and signed B-25 Mitchell aircraft posters. The Doolittle Raiders donation will help provide the assistance needed to buy these items for this holiday's Operation Warmheart. "It will offset the cost of these turkeys," said Baxley. Operation Warmheart also offers assistance during the Thanksgiving and December holidays by providing an additional service, creating gift baskets with the essentials for a seasonal meal. "A basket contains a turkey or a ham, two boxes of stuffing, two boxes of potatoes, a can of cranberry sauce, two cans of greens beans and corn and some other miscellaneous item," said Baxley. Operation Warmheart had their final basket build Dec. 19. The 1st Sergeants decide which service members are deserving on base and deliver the Warmheart baskets to them.
