Thanksgiving baskets shared with McConnell families

Published Nov. 23, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- One hundred and thirty-eight Thanksgiving Day meals were donated to McConnell families Nov. 22 at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

Coordinated by the Airman and Family Readiness Center and base first sergeants, the baskets were distributed to McConnell Airmen and their families for the upcoming holiday.

The purpose of this holiday event is to help families in need and ensure Team McConnell families have a great holiday, said Angela Edwards, A&FRC school liaison officer and this year's Thanksgiving basket coordinator.

The basket giveaway has been a tradition at McConnell since 1992 with a community partnership donation of 10 baskets. In 1995, the A&FRC took over the coordination and began asking base agencies to provide baskets. The program has continued to grow each year.

For 2011, the A&FRC determined a need for 120 baskets.

"Our goal is to always have the need met," said Edwards. "With the additional 18 baskets, we were able to help some families who were not on the original list, but who benefited from receiving a basket."

Numerous Team McConnell squadrons and units donated food for this year's giveaway. Multiple food baskets were also donated by community organizations.

Laundry baskets were provided by base spouses clubs, as well as re-usable grocery bags from the A&FRC, to assemble items into "baskets."

Items such as sweet potatoes, green beans, fresh fruit, stuffing and baking potatoes were donated to make a "traditional" Thanksgiving meal.

Members of the 22nd Security Forces Squadron volunteered at the chapel annex to assemble baskets and unload trucks full of groceries and turkeys.

"We saw an opportunity to help those in need," said Tech. Sgt. Mirta Jones, 22nd Security Forces Squadron temporary first sergeant. "As Defenders, our beret makes us recognizable miles away and most of us are known for the type of job we do. We like to show our softer side every once in a while by showing up in full force."

While many Airmen spend the holiday season away from their own families, the Thanksgiving basket giveaway is one way to ensure everyone has a happy holiday season, said Edwards.

"One of the great things about being a part of the military family, Team McConnell specifically, is that we take care of one another," said Edwards.

McConnell Airmen will continue to support others throughout the season with the holiday toy giveaway.