Team XL embodies 'service before self'

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Evan M. Ross
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Team XL stepped up in a big way on the morning of Oct. 25 at the Val Verde County Loaves and Fishes food drive in Del Rio, Texas.

The food drive is operated on a strictly volunteer basis and provides food for more than 1,500 people and more than 400 children.

The food bank has no paid employees and operates solely on donations and city and county grants. The bank receives around 15 to 20 thousand pounds of donated food each month, and they distribute each and every pound, according to Gisela Lenz, food bank volunteer director.

According to food bank staff, the outpouring of volunteer help has been overwhelming.

"We are so blessed with the people that volunteer. We absolutely could not do what we are able to do here without the volunteers that come from Laughlin," said Gisela Lenz, food bank volunteer director, "We even had to turn a hand-full of volunteers away this morning because we already had too many."

Food bank personnel and package recipients are not the only people that benefit from the work performed. The volunteers have also found special meaning in being able to serve their community.

Jeff Scott, 47th Communication Squadron, explained that volunteering boils down to the fact that some things in life are more important than others. "There is nothing, in my opinion, more important than helping out your fellow man," said Scott, "Our goal at Laughlin is to always make sure that we leave Del Rio a better place than we found it, and it is very gratifying work."

The program volunteers had the same sentiment.

"It is always good to be able to help out the local community, especially those who are in need," said 2nd Lt. Aaron Moreno, 47th Student Squadron member and program volunteer. "We're fortunate to not only have the opportunity to provide for ourselves, but more importantly, the chance to spend our time giving back to those that don't have the same opportunity."

Team XL's support of the community reaches to the highest levels of Laughlin leadership.

"It's great to see our people embodying our second core value in such a big way as they volunteer throughout our community," said Colonel Tom Murphy, 47th Flying Training Wing Commander, "Keep up the good work, Team XL."