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Airman thanks contributor

Tech. Sgt. Evangeline Evanzia, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron instructor boom operator, and Krem 2 News surprised Warden, Wash. native, Pat Rogers, to thank her for her contributions to the Treats 2 Troops program June 14, 2016. Since the start of the program 2011, Treats 2 Troops has sent more than 1,500 care packages to Fairchild Airmen serving overseas.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson)

Airman thanks philanthropist

Tech. Sgt. Evangeline Evanzia, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron instructor boom operator, surprised Warden, Wash. native, Pat Rogers, to thank her for her contributions to the Treats 2 Troops program. While deployed, Evanzia received multiple hats from Pat and to this day and continues to wear them throughout the winter months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson)

Fairchild Airman thanks Treats 2 Troops contributor

Published June 15, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- It was a heartfelt moment when Warden, Wash. native, Pat Rogers and her husband of 56 years, Bill Rogers, received a surprise visit from KREM 2 News and one Fairchild Air Force Base Airman June 14.

Pat has been knitting winter hats for three years as part of Treats 2 Troops; a program started by Laura Papetti, KREM 2 News anchor, nearly five years ago. Treats 2 Troops allows community members to show their support and appreciation to military service members serving overseas by donating snacks, health care products and various other essential items.

“Treats 2 Troops is a program I started about five years ago without any planning,” Papetti said. “I’m so passionate about the winter holidays and so passionate about supporting military members here at home and overseas. It bothered me we didn’t have an organized effort.”

Since the start of the program 2011, Treats 2 Troops has sent more than 1,500 care packages to Fairchild Airmen serving overseas. In the time since Pat began participating in 2013, she has knit and sent approximately 500 hats to Airmen serving at home and overseas.

“As long as Treats 2 Troops is around, I will keep making hats,” Pat said. “I just hope all the young people serving overseas come home safe.”

Tech. Sgt. Evangeline Evanzia, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron instructor boom operator, surprised Pat to thank her for her contributions to Treats 2 Troops. While deployed, Evanzia received multiple hats from Pat and to this day, continues to wear them throughout the winter months.

“Receiving the hats and care packages overseas is such a great feeling,” Evanzia said. “This program is one of the many ways the greater Spokane community shows support and appreciation for the Airmen at Fairchild Air Force Base.”

Evanzia presented Pat with numerous mementos including a Fairchild scarf, 93rd ARS patches and a 93rd ARS coin.

“Pat exemplifies the whole reason we do this,” Papetti concluded. “Our dream is to never have to send another package overseas again, but until that happens, we will keep doing it.”