Small towns with big hearts support deployed Airmen Published Nov. 12, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- In May 2013, the Fairchild Air Force Base Officers' Spouses Club began supporting a plan as an effort to send our appreciation to deployed members 7,000 miles away. 'Treats 2 Troops' has grown significantly since its inception with sponsors from Haskins Steel Co., Washington Trust Bank, local news station KREM2, Red Cross Spokane and Fairchild's own the Officers' Spouses Club. "Treats 2 Troops has grown so much in three years, it has been great work side-by-side with KREM2 and the Red Cross," said Katherine Messer, Fairchild Officers' Spouses Club member. "We have been coordinating since May this year to make sure these care packages get to our troops defending our freedom." The Officers' Spouses Club has been working diligently making sure the correct addresses are being gathered from all the units as well as the exact postage needed. Members from the local community also began to donate at several locations around Spokane in the past weeks. Items requested for donation include beef jerky, sunflower seeds, lip balm, protein bars, baby wipes and batteries. "The gathering, packaging and postage completion will take about three days" said Messer. The final day for donation will be Nov. 22. Proceeding the cutoff date, the packaging will be conducted at Mike Andersen Elementary school. "Volunteers are needed to make the final pieces of our mission to be complete," said Ann Gottlieb, Fairchild Officers' Spouses Club member. "Airmen and family member can come out and volunteer just a few minutes out of their day and help complete the boxes, even on their way to work or during a break." The Officers' Spouses Club will need 10-15 volunteers to help write customs forms and address labels Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Balfour Beatty Community Center with brunch provided. Volunteers will also be needed Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. to help sort the goods by categories. "We need volunteers willing to sign up for shifts to help assist volunteers with packing boxes, handing out customs forms and supplies, answer questions and refill tables," said Jill Newberry, Fairchild Officers' Spouses Club member. "We will have a quick training session on a case by case basis and will sign up for time slots the day before packing day as well." The community is welcome to help pack boxes on Nov. 27, starting at 4:30 a.m. until all boxes are completed. Participants can donate as much or little time as they please with no sign up needed. The packages will then be shipped to the men and women defending freedom from abroad during the holidays. "It is enjoyable to live in the Inland Northwest because we as a patriotic community are always marching to the same drummer, and that drumbeat is love of country, love of the military," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "That community support certainly extends to our Airmen overseas and I know from personal experience the smile that I had opening a care package filled with cards from school children from home. There is no place like home." For more information how to help with 'Treats 2 Troops', email president@fairchildosc.com.