Operation Warmheart provides year-long support

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the holidays in full swing and Christmas just around the corner, Laughlin's first sergeants are using the season to raise funds for Operation Warmheart from Dec. 17 to 22.

Operation Warmheart is a year round program operated by Laughlin's first sergeants, designed to give airmen on Laughlin a hand in times of need.

"This program is one of the few fundraisers that every penny collected goes right back to the airmen of Laughlin," said Master Sgt. Manuel Silva, 47th Operations Group first sergeant. "This is a tool the first shirts use to give back to the airmen on base."

Throughout the year and especially during the holiday season, Operation Warmheart's donations are used to help airmen with temporary housing, food, vehicle fuel, diapers, formula and many other daily living expenses. The funds also help support various morale events on base.

"This program means a lot and gives all of us here a chance to help our Air Force family," said Senior Airman Jacob Daniels, 434th Flying Training Squadron operations desk. "Last year a friend of mine was newly married and had a baby and this program helped him with food and baby supplies."

Last month, funds from this program were used to buy 32 Thanksgiving turkeys for base residents in need, explained Silva.

"When talking about Warmheart we are talking about taking care of our family," said Silva. "It's about helping our fellow airmen with a holiday meal or a commissary gift card in a crisis, because when you take care of airmen the mission gets done."

To receive help from Operation Warmheart, the request for assistance should be raised to the airmen's first sergeant. The first sergeant will then consult with the other first sergeants and if the council determines that help is warranted, they will act.

Donations are taken all year and can be given to any first sergeant. Donations can be in the form of cash, check or a gift card. Volunteers will be collecting donations from Dec. 17 to 20 at the Laughlin Commissary and Laughlin Exchange. Times are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the base exchange and during regular operating hours at the commissary. Donations will be accepted at the commissary from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 22.

"Thank you for your donations," said Silva. "Without Team XL's support and willingness to help their fellow teammates, this program wouldn't be a success."