Photo By Staff Sgt. Cynthia Vega | U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Juan Marquez, a chaplain assistant with the 163d...... read more read more
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MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif.— The 210th Weather Flight brought holiday cheer to the 163d Attack Wing and March Air Reserve Base in December during their annual Santa’s Workshop.
The holiday event started when recently-retired Chief Master Sgt. Rick Thomas wanted to get the weather flight more involved with the wing and the Airman and Family Readiness Program.
“Thomas would grab several names from the wing’s Grizzly Tree and ask for volunteers to help fulfill the wish lists of those economically struggling service members,” said Master Sgt. Carlos Coronado, a meteorology technician with the 210th.
The flight collected toys donated by participating Dollar Tree stores as a part of the Operation Homefront program. Airmen then organized the toys into boxes and decorate part of their building for the occasion.
For the past six years Command Chief Master Sgt. Gilbert Sanchez and retired Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia Clark have collected toy donations for the workshop.
“My focus has always been on the Airmen and families of the 163d,” said Sanchez. “The donated stocking stuffers are a small token of appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices our Airmen and families make for our state and country.”
Once the workshop is closed and military families have cycled through, remaining toys are taken to the California Military Institute (CMI) campus in nearby Perris. The military-themed charter school is for students in grades 5-12, and it is the wing’s adopted school. School counselors offer the donated toys to school parents and families who may need extra help during the holidays.
In addition to distributing toys to members during this cheerful event, the flight also provides a Santa Claus for visits and pictures. Retired Master Sgt. Christian Gavin acts as Santa and gets everyone into the holiday spirit.
“I know this Santa is real because the Real Santa would come out for heroes," said the son of a medical services superintendent.
The list of volunteers for the event keeps growing and growing, and Coronado doesn’t see the program ever going away.
Santa’s Workshop is a win-win for the wing’s families and for the local community.
“Getting involved in events like this is so inspiring,” said Tech. Sgt. Emerald Diehl, Airman and Family Readiness Program manager. “We get to help our fellow service members and their families, and we get to help families in the local community.”
Michael Rhodes, CMI’s Principal, agreed.
“We make every effort to take care of the kids’ needs on a daily basis,” Rhodes said. “What this program has done for the kids is provide them with their wants, and we are all grateful for that.”
| Date Taken: | 01.03.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.04.2018 18:26 |
| Story ID: | 261354 |
| Location: | MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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