Gunfighters distribute school supplies for Operation Homefront

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  More than $2,500 worth of school supplies were distributed to local military children by Gunfighters supporting Operation Homefront Aug. 13.

Operation Homefront was formed in Feb. 2002 to support the families of deployed service members following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Their mission is to provide emergency financial and other assistance to service members and families of wounded warriors.

"We took the donations from our individual and corporate sponsors to help Gunfighter parents ensure their children are prepared for school," explained Senior Master Sgt. Andy P. Rogers, 366th Force Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness Center's noncommissioned officer in charge. "We had such an amazing turnout today, so these family members now have one less thing to worry about or errand to run and 43 fewer things to buy for their children."

More than 60 Gunfighters filled 74 backpacks and 150 extra large plastic bags with supplies.

"We had more than 150 commissary bags full of extra school supplies which were donated to the 366th Fighter Wing First Sergeant's Locker along with the 10 extra backpacks," said Vicky Courterier, an administrative manager with Operation Homefront. "Today we had a goal of handing out 50 backpacks and we exceeded that goal with 64 of the 74 backpacks distributed to Gunfighter families."

Along with 42 various types of school supplies, the Operation Homefront members and Gunfighters distributed 41 printers, retailing for $49.99, to the families.

"Today is one of our morale booster days where we distribute school supplies in backpacks to military families in need, plus as a special bonus those same families are receiving printers as well," stated Mark Davidson, the Operation Homefront Idaho volunteer community team lead. "As members of Operation Homefront, we are here to support military service members throughout the world."

For more information on local events or to donate to Operation Homefront visit http://www.operationhomefront.net.