Operation Warm Heart donations help Malmstrom Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Big Sky First Sergeants Council and other base organizations will be in the commissary from Dec. 1 through Dec. 20 collecting donations for Operation Warm Heart.

"The First Sergeants Council invited different organizations and all the squadrons on the base who wanted to volunteer to take a day to stand in the commissary and take up donations," said Master Sgt. Jason Hill, the lead point of contact for OWH. "We'll be out there every day from open to close."

OWH is a program managed by Team Malmstrom's First Sergeants Council geared towards helping Airmen and their families undergoing financial hardships by providing them with grants to support them in their time of need. OWH offsets supporting agencies such as Air Force Aid and assistance through the Airman and Family Readiness Center by providing 'mini loans' without interest.

"Thus far we've got a pretty good response," Sergeant Hill said. "It's extremely encouraging to see the awesome generosity of the people on the base- active, civilian and retired."

The fundraiser started off successfully, accumulating $286 in donations on the first day.

"It's about Airmen helping Airman," said Master Sgt. Robert Baker, Big Sky First Sergeants Council president. "We're simply providing temporary help to someone trying to get back on their feet or get through whatever it is they need assistance getting through."

The program is funded year-round through donations by individuals and organizations, including the chapel and commissary vendors.

"The chapel is always interested in helping Airmen," said Chaplain [Lt. Col] Michael Gilbert. "It's a seasonal tradition and it gives people in the pews an opportunity to contribute to the needs of Airmen, especially in the holiday season."

The program also uses donations to purchase families food baskets during the holidays. Recently, OWH purchased 14 baskets to assist families who were in need for Thanksgiving.

"The really neat thing about the program is that we're literally helping the people right in our own back yard," Sergeant Hill said. "We're helping the people we work with, our neighbors, our Airmen right here at Malmstrom. That's what makes it such a worthy cause."