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Christmas warmth, New Year needs

  • Published
  • By Gail Kulhavy
  • OC-ALC/IT
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  In less than two months, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center's Directorate of Information Technology had accumulated 75 boxes of necessary/desired items for service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   More than 30 OC-ALC/IT volunteers sorted the items, boxed them, filled out Customs forms and wrote 75 individual Christmas cards for each box. Items ranged from toiletries to boot socks, movies to snack food, foot powder to eye drops - all kinds of items we take for granted here at home.
   IT undertakes at least one Giving Project every year. This year there were three projects under way: Children's Shelter, Jesus House and boxes to deployed service members. IT Giving Project coordinator, Kathy Schultz, ensured the items were distributed appropriately.
   "The IT community donated time, items and money so generously that I was overwhelmed," Ms. Schultz said.
   The IT Booster Club and individuals gave almost $900, plus donated items for the Holiday Cheer boxes for Servicemen and women.
   "They also gave $850 for the Children's Shelter plus backpacks, toys, gloves, hats, scarves and other items," Ms. Schultz said. "We purchased a new air conditioner motor, thermostat, craft supplies, McDonald's gift cards, and repaired their heating ducts. It is great to work with wonderful people who demonstrate the Christmas spirit of giving so very well."
   Carl Davis, spear-headed the effort to get food to the Jesus House in plenty of time for Christmas cheer for families in need.
   "We donated three boxes of food including 50 pounds of rice, 25 pounds of beans and several gallons of vegetables," said Mr. Davis. "The Jesus House was very grateful. The said the ice storm had severely depleted their reserves and they'd been worried about being able to provide for Christmas. Our small donation helped them provide to at least a few."
   OC-ALC/IT does several "giving projects" and plans to add a special Valentine project this year for a nursing home and Veterans at the VA hospital.