Operation Warm Heart

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aaron Montoya
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The holiday season is the time of the year that is filled with love, happiness and even stress. The Holloman First Sergeants Council has begun their Operation Warm Heart campaign to assist Airmen who could use some extra help this Christmas.

"Monday will begin our Operation Warm Heart fund raiser. We will be standing in the Commissary, Base Exchange and Shoppette ringing a bell with a gift wrapped box for individuals to place monetary donations in," said Master Sgt. Maynard Peregoy, 49th Communications Squadron First Sergeant.

The First Sergeants of Holloman join together annually to assist Airmen in need of financial help with their Operation Warm Heart campaign. All of the money is provided by Holloman's own Airmen and other members of Team Holloman. The money they raise goes directly back to the Airmen in need through assistance with purchasing food and even donations to local organizations.

"Every year the First Sergeants give out approximately $8000 in Commissary gift cards. We donate $500 quarterly to the Refuel Café, and just last month we gave out $3900 in gift cards to Airmen all across Holloman to ensure a great Thanksgiving meal could be purchased," said Maynard.

Holloman's First Sergeants work hard to help ensure that all of Holloman's Airmen are able to have a happy holiday season without having the extra stress that comes along with unexpected financial issues.

"Often times Airmen are faced with financial difficulties and have to get creative with their money," said Maynard. "This program allows us to help them shift money that would normally be used to feed their families, to whatever emergency they are faced with."