Operation Holiday Spirit: Angel trees to be set up Monday Published Nov. 21, 2007 By Tinker First Sergeants Group TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Operation Holiday Spirit is an annual community project to assist Tinker active duty military families during the holidays. Families are identified through their unit first sergeant or Navy master chiefs. The Tinker First Sergeant's Council coordinates this annual event to help make this holiday season a little brighter for those military families who need a little assistance during this time of year. Last year, many families were helped through the program. This year has been very hard for a lot of the young Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers with families who are living on a limited income. Paychecks seem to be smaller and needs greater this time of year. To assist families with toys for the children, there will be three "Angel Trees" set up at the Tinker Base Exchange, Bldg. 3001 and Base Chapel beginning Monday. To purchase a toy for a child, take an angel off the tree. Each angel will identify the age and sex of the child and have a wish list. Purchase and return wrapped gifts (with the angel attached) to any of the three Angel Tree locations. The deadline to drop gifts off is Dec. 18. Through the Operation Holiday Spirit program, monetary contributions received from the Tinker community are distributed to these military families, making it possible for them to purchase a holiday dinner at the commissary. Please make monetary contributions payable to Operation Holiday Spirit and drop them off at the Family Support Center located in Bldg. 6001 (located by the Gerrity Fitness Center) no later than Dec. 18 to allow time for the commissary checks to be prepared. All gifts and checks will be dispersed to the families through their unit first sergeants or master chiefs on Dec. 21. Call Master Sgt. Michael Mekis at 734-1052, Master Sgt. Lisa Sears at 736-2148 or your first sergeant for any additional information.