Operation Thanksgiving 09

Airman 1st Class Anel Mehmedovic, 341st Force Support Squadron, debones a turkey at the Meals-on-Wheels kitchen Nov. 25. A total of 23 turkeys were prepped the day prior to be used in the more than 370 meals dished up for delivery to local area seniors on Thanksgiving day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Valerie Mullett)

Operation Thanksgiving 09

Brian Jolly, Chief of the Manpower and Personnel Flight for the 341st Force Support Squadron, slices hams at the Meals-on-Wheels kitchen Nov. 25. Ham was also included in the Thanksgiving day meals prepared for delivery to local area seniors. Volunteers from Malmstrom did all the pre-preparation, packaging, deliveries and clean-up so that the regular Meals-on-Wheels drivers could spend the day with their families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Valerie Mullett)

Malmstrom volunteers step in for Operation Thanksgiving

Published Dec. 4, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- More than 80 volunteers from Team Malmstrom helped prepare and deliver 371 Thanksgiving meals to the elderly and less fortunate members of the Great Falls community for the Meals-on-Wheels Operation Thanksgiving Nov. 26.

"We did so well this year and we couldn't have done it without the support of Malmstrom," said Nancy Wilson, Meals-on-Wheels manager in Great Falls. "With their (the volunteers from Team Malmstrom) enthusiasm and dedication, the event was a huge success. This year was probably the largest number of seniors we've had to deliver to in the program, but the volunteers made it seem like it was no work at all. We were very grateful."

Volunteer positions were broken up into shifts and categories, which included food preparation, cooking, delivery and clean-up.

The day before Thanksgiving, Malmstrom volunteers lent a helping hand deboning 23 holiday turkeys and slicing nine hams that would be packed in the holiday meals delivered on Thanksgiving.

"Malmstrom looks forward to this every year," said Airman 1st Class Kristina Shaw, one of the lead points of contact for Operation Thanksgiving. "The community does so much for us; it's a small gesture that we get to do that people are grateful for, and it's a way for us to give back."

"This year we had a really good turnout," Airman Shaw said. "We had a fun time doing it and reaching out to the members of the community. Most of them live alone, so it's nice being able to bring them Thanksgiving dinner, and stay and talk with them for awhile."

Thanksgiving meals consisted of rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dressing, gravy, ham, turkey, fruit and a slice of pumpkin pie.

"This was my first year participating in Meals-on-Wheels," said Tech Sgt. Marcus McDonald, 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs NCOIC. "I was able to do deliveries and it was great to be a part of a team making the holiday more enjoyable for those in need. It was a memorable experience."