Holidays are brought to Fairchild during Operation Homefront

Published Dec. 10, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- More than 1,700 bags of toys were put together by base volunteers for Team Fairchild's youth during the Operation Homefront toy drive, which took place over the last six weeks.

Operation Homefront conducts its annual Holiday Toy Drive program to distribute toys to military families across the country, along with providing emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.

Members from around base came together this year to get in the holiday spirit and deliver smiles across Fairchild.

"The volunteers were amazing," said Suzette Hill, Fairchild spouse and organizer of Operation Homefront for the base. "Last year, nine million toys were donated at Dollar Tree stores nationwide. Dollar Tree continued its partnership with Operation Homefront this year and volunteers from Fairchild collected approximately 9,000 donated toys from three Dollar Tree stores over the course of six weeks. The toys were transported to a sorting room on base where volunteers including spouses, active duty members and children participated in organizing the toys for distribution."

Operation Homefront was formed in February 2002. It was developed to support the families of deployed service members immediately following 9/11. Operation Homefront is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and has evolved into a major nonprofit. The organization currently provides services to military families across the nation with 23 locations serving 43 states.

Hill said although the whole experience was amazing, one of the highlights was when the Airman Leadership School students came and volunteered their time.

"It was incredible," Hill said. "There must have been 25 to 30 Airmen bagging toys. They built over 400 toy bags in less than an hour and then transported them to the Maintenance Squadron. Their enthusiasm for the project made it even more special."

The volunteers worked together weekly to collect, organize and deliver toys. Hill said all the volunteers played a crucial role, but a few stood above the rest. Hill said Michelle Brummit, Jodie Walker and Lauren Freebourn were a certain few who really helped the program thrive.

"The opportunity to be a part of Operation Homefront and work with all the other wonderful ladies who helped make this event successful was amazing," said Freebourn. "I am so glad we were able to give our time and talents to brighten Christmas for our military children through this partnership. I hope to be a part of Operation Homefront again in the future."

Because of all the donations and volunteer hours, many members of Team Fairchild will have some extra toys under the tree this holiday season.

"Personally, it's been a truly rewarding experience to work with so many committed volunteers willing to invest their time and energy on this project during the busy holiday season," said Hill. "It's a terrific partnership between the base and the local community and a wonderful avenue to show our Nation's appreciation for those who serve by honoring their children. We greatly appreciate and are thankful to the sponsors and the local community for making the holidays brighter for our military families here at Fairchild Air Force Base."