Operation Warm-Heart: Airmen helping Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Brosam
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONT. --  It's the time of year when holiday festivities are taking place. Turkeys are baking, food is being passed around the table, decorations are being set up and gifts are being wrapped in red and green paper.

Operation Warm-Heart assists military members and their families during the holidays and throughout the year, specifically to purchase food items and cover emergencies during difficult times when the Air Force Aid Society is unable to assist.

Volunteers from various squadrons will be posted at the Base Exchange and Commissary to accept donations from Nov. 24 through Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to help those in need.

Senior Airman Lakayla Bennett, 341st Security Forces Squadron defender and Operation Warm-Heart volunteer, is helping to raise money for Airmen that could potentially be in a situation similar to one she experienced.

"I had a family member pass away suddenly and I had to go home on a flight," said Bennett. "Operation Warm-Heart gave me the money to make it there and back without being in debt. It's the perfect thing for Airmen."

Since October 2013, Operation Warm-Heart has supported more than 18 Malmstrom Airmen and their families in the amount of $4,725. Additionally, it has provided 301 Malmstrom families with food baskets during Thanksgiving and Christmas, totaling an amount of $6,165.

Tech. Sgt. Patrice Williams, 341st SFS NCO in charge of commander support staff, is volunteering because she once received aid and wants to give back.

"When I was an Airman they gave me a gift certificate to the commissary and a gift basket for Thanksgiving," said Williams. "I think it's an awesome thing."

Williams said she also knew a family in need of food and she reached out to the first sergeant who used Operation Warm-Heart to assist.

First sergeants can be contacted for more information on volunteering and donating.