MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Airman 1st Class Melvin Hartley, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilating and air conditioning apprentice, sorts through a pile of donated clothing April 28 outside of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Airman Hartley and other members of the HVAC shop collected donations in response to a series of tornadoes that recently struck areas in North Carolina. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)(RELEASED)

Airmen collect items for tornado-ravaged town

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Recently, a tornado devastated the community of Fayetteville, N.C., and Airmen from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., didn't wait long to provide aid.

Fayetteville and the surrounding area have a strong military community -- both Fort Bragg and Pope Field are located nearby.

As quickly as the tornado hit, Moody members went to work helping those affected.

Staff Sgt. Steven Kindle, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilating and air conditioning craftsman, organized an essential items drive to help those in need.

For Sergeant Kindle, it was personal because he has family and friends in North Carolina who were affected by the tornado.

"I saw pictures on the website of a newspaper from my hometown," said Sergeant Kindle. "It looked really bad. My mom called the other day and told me she saw people and whole families sleeping in cars."

After seeing his hometown, he decided to do something.

"This past week, we collected donations of clothing, nonperishable food and toiletries at the Airman and Family Readiness Center," Sergeant Kindle said. "On May 3, I will rent a moving truck and take all the donations to the Red Cross and Salvation Army in Fayetteville.

"For a lot of people, all they can do is offer their blessings and prayers," he added. "I knew I was in more of a position to help."

Sergeant Kindle wasn't the only person standing outside of the AFRC collecting donations. Other Airmen from the 23rd CES were happy to pitch in.

"I wanted to help out a community that was in need," said Airman 1st Class Melvin Hartley, 23rd CES HVAC apprentice. "I'm just glad to be helping with this effort."

Even though Ryan Dzurko, 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron animal health clerk, was not standing outside the AFRC, she also played a role in the drive.

"I like to get involved with helping others and this one really hit home," said Mrs. Dzurko. "I emailed commanders and supervisors and asked them to spread the word about a good cause."

The tornado that went through North Carolina was also something personal for Mrs. Dzurko, who was stationed at Pope for seven years.

"Fayetteville is a small city surrounded by country," Mrs. Dzurko said. "The people were always great. My two sons were born on Fort Bragg, and Fayetteville is close to my heart.

"I have a friend that still lives by Fort Bragg," she added. "The tornado passed right by her house and tore the roofs off the houses in the next neighborhood. Her house was fine except for a three-day power outage."

The victims of the devastating tornado in North Carolina will see some relief because Sergeant Kindle and other Moody servicemembers are giving their time and possessions to help. All it takes is one Airman to make a difference.