Idaho community gives 366th Fighter Wing seasonal gift

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jasmine Reif
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AFB - Idaho --  Each holiday season, Airmen and community members raise money for Operation Warmheart to help military families in need. For the sixth year in a row, residents of SilverCrest II Estates in Nampa, Idaho, wanted to help. This year, they raised more than $10,000 and gave 500 pounds of food, 30 holiday stockings, 50 quilts, 15 hand carved cradles and rockers, and hundreds of toys and clothing items to those in need.

More than 150 active duty, retired and community members attended a ceremony held Saturday in Nampa to present certificates and thank those who organized and donated money and gifts to the program.

Operation Warmheart is a nonprofit program that provides food, money and other assistance to single Airmen and families by putting holiday meals on tables and toys under trees.

"It's important for us to raise money for this program and ensure the military knows we support them," said Nampa Mayor Tom Dale.

Honorary Command Chief Rita Albers has coordinated the event at SilverCrest II for the past six years. Each year the program donations continue to grow.

"Two weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, our community of SilverCrest II heard that the Operation Warmheart food locker was nearly empty and contacted Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Curl," said Mrs. Albers. "He explained what the program was all about and even though our community is small and everyone is retired, we would do all we could to help. We have been blessed to have sponsors join us over the years and we just celebrated our sixth year Christmas program. We have come to know and respect the first sergeants and all they stand for in helping the young troops and their families."

During the ceremony, a woman and her father came to the front and explained how important the program was to her deceased mother, Donna Ward.

"Operation Warmheart meant so much to her and she looked forward to it each year," they said. "So this year, we took all of our Christmas money and are donating the entire $1,500 to the program."

Several companies such as Farmers Merchant Bank and Albertsons also participate in the program.

"It's a privilege and an honor to be a part of SilverCrest II Estates. This organization humbles others by comparison," said retired Col. Bruce Wong, Albertsons staff member. "This year, we got three companies to donate $2,000."

Albertsons SUPERVALU Inc. got involved three years ago.

"We decided to sponsor this wonderful project. After the first year, we realized that what we donated was not adequate, and so we are giving $5,000," said Teresa Alexander, Albertsons SVU staff member.

The Gunfighter First Sergeants Association President Master Sgt. Ed Van Etten and Vice President Master Sgt. Jeff Waters accepted the money and gifts on behalf of the 366th Fighter Wing.

"We run the Operation Warmheart Program at the base and collect money and gifts throughout the year," said Sergeant Waters, 366th Component Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "We hold fundraisers such as trap and skeet, golf and softball tournaments. This is a fantastic program, and it's great to be able to help out a troop who comes in and needs food or money to get by until payday. We can also help out Airmen who need car repairs, but don't qualify for Air Force aid."

At the end of the ceremony, the wing's top enlisted person stressed how thankful he is for all the help given by the local communities.

"This program keeps getting bigger and better," said Chief Master Sgt. Allen Niksich, 366th Fighter Wing command chief. "We are so thankful for the help we get. To be able to get food out of our food locker when a family is in need or be able to get a blanket for a family after a baby is born is an unbelievable feeling. It's hard to explain, but we get to see their faces when they receive the items. This town gets it. It's so cool that this is all done for the right reasons."