Base volunteers make Christmas wishes come true

With the Christmas season in high gear, military families received a helping hand at the 11th annual toy drive Dec. 5 – 6 here.

Eglin and Hurlburt Field active duty members (E-6 and below) and their families chose gifts for their children from the stacks of toys, craft kits, books, games, sports equipment and bikes donated by several  organizations throughout the year.

Airman’s Attic volunteers work all year to collect the toys.

“The military takes care of its own and this program is part of that,” said Bob White, volunteer manager of Eglin’s Airman’s Attic.

Toy donations were also made by Toys-for-Tots, Operation Care, the Eglin’s First Sergeants Council and other units within the base community.

“The Eglin FSC comes out in full force to support this toy drive because it’s the fun part of what we do,” said Master Sgt. Jason Miller, Eglin FSC’s toy drive event organizer.  “When we are able to help our Airmen in a tangible way to improve their quality of life, we jump at the chance.”

This time of year often brings financial struggles as families try to make ends meet and give their children a nice Christmas, he said.

Approximately 220 Eglin and Hurlburt families came out for the event.

“This toy drive lessens the stress of Christmas budgeting.   Now we can visit family in Panama City,” said Melissa Morehead, an Eglin spouse and mother of five.  “We are thankful they have this program for military families.  They don’t have to do it.”

Volunteers from the Airman’s Attic, the Air Force Detachment 3 of the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal and the Eglin and Hurlburt FSCs  worked over 400 man hours to make the event possible.

The work doesn’t stop after the last toy has been given away.  White said he begins the process again by collecting leftover toys from the local Toys-For-Tots benefits to begin the year-long collection process to ensure there will be toys for next year’s families.

“This is my chance to give back.  The service was so good to me,” said White, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant.

The Airman’s Attic can be reached at 882-3616, Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PHOTO (top): A parent looks over toys during the 11th annual toy distribution at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Dec. 5. Approximately 2,000 toys were collected by donations made throughout the year. Toys, bikes, books, games, crafts, sports equipment and stuffed animals were given to active-military families in need of assistance during the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)