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Operation Holiday Spirit deemed a big success

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mark Hybers
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Del City American Legion was alive with activity Nov. 30, as Reserve and Guard Airmen raised more than $34,000 for military families in need during the annual Operation Holiday Spirit dinner.

This year marks the 14th year of Operation Holiday Spirit, where members of the 507th Air Refueling Wing, 513th Air Control Group and Oklahoma Air National Guard's 137th Air Refueling Wing raise funds.

Operation Holiday Spirit started as a complete accident.

"I was eavesdropping on a conversation between a first sergeant and a family in need," said Lt. Col. Ralph Hawkins, 513th Air Control Group executive officer. "I shouldn't have been doing that, but that's what execs do."

That conversation ignited a fire inside Colonel Hawkins that has led to hundreds of families receiving help during the holidays. "I just never dreamed we would still be doing it 14 years later," he said.

The plan for that first dinner was to have a steak dinner and donate the funds raised to some families that were identified by the various first sergeants around the wing.

Colonel Hawkins, then the 507th Air Refueling Wing executive officer, used the break area in the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to serve the 45 members that showed up.
The first OHS raised some $2,700 and helped 18 families. Last year, 310 people turned out for the steak supper and raised more than $27,000, helping 61 families.

"This is growing more and more each year," said Colonel Hawkins. "I expect this year there will be more families and we are really going to be focused pretty hard ensuring the kids have a good Christmas."

The names of the families to receive OHS donations are not turned in until after the steak supper. The first sergeants take about a week or more to gather the nominations.

This year's dinner showed the generosity of members around Tinker and the 137th, with 311 people in attendance. Money from the steak supper, auctions and silent auction items, raised more than $34,000.

There were several grills going outside the building with volunteers grilling. One of the "grill masters" was Senior Master Sgt. Larry DeSalle from the 137th Maintenance Squadron.

"It's great to be a part of this. We'll have all these grills going until everyone inside has been served," he said.

Colonel Hawkins also praised the level of involvement of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. "We have seen more and more from them every year and I think it's a great partnership."

The evening capped off with the auction items. Hot items such as a Sam Bradford-autographed St. Louis Rams football helmet really had the crowd going.

"We could not do this without all the people that help out, cooking, serving and planning," Colonel Hawkins said.

With this year's supper being the biggest ever and his retirement looming, Colonel Hawkins says he's really going to miss it, but he's going to keep coming back.

"The satisfaction of doing this and seeing the look on the recipients faces will keep me coming back as long as they will have me," he said.

Christmas for some Airmen will be a little brighter this year as the 507th ARW, 513th ACG and 137th ARW deliver their special brand of holiday spirit.