JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A monthly dinner that provides fellowship and support for the families of deployed Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Airmen received a boost last month with the presentation of a check representing proceeds from the 2011 Holiday Tour of Homes.
Cathy Murphy, Tour of Homes coordinator, presented a mock check of $1,675 to Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Thornton, JBSA-Randolph First Sergeants' Council president, during a ceremony at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The First Sergeants' Council will hold the funds, which benefit the A&FRC's Waiting Families Dinner, pending the establishment of the center's Warrior Family Fund.
Murphy, the wife of Col. Richard Murphy, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, was joined by other Randolph community spouses to coordinate the holiday tour.
"I'm excited about partnering the community with all the support services that are available," she said. "Our biggest goal is to work together, not as separate entities. We want all our programs to be well-attended and well-supported."
Teresa Rice, the wife of Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Education and Training Command commander, and a community spouse volunteer, commended the hostesses of the Dec. 6 tour, a showcase for homes of senior officers and senior NCOs who live on base.
"Each one of the hostesses spent weeks decorating for the tour," she said. "It involved a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, with great results. The people who participated in the tour were so appreciative of their efforts."
Master Sgt. Karla Iglesias, 902nd Force Support Squadron Readiness NCO in charge, said the Waiting Families Dinner will be renamed in April to reflect the new moniker for sustainment support events during deployments - Hearts Apart.
"The Waiting Families name change was long overdue," she said. "We received
feedback from families and that name was not representing them well. They are not just sitting around waiting; they do a lot of positive things to keep their families together and keep them in good spirits. They are taking part in accomplishing the mission."
Iglesias said the Hearts Apart designation is known throughout the Air Force.
"Most bases use the Hearts Apart name to designate sustainment programs for
families experiencing separation due to deployment, remote assignment or extended TDY," she said.
Iglesias said more Hearts Apart programs will be introduced in the future "to increase the support for these families and continue to build resilience."
The next event, planned for April 21 at the Westin Centre hotel, will celebrate the children of deployed and returned members, she said.
Iglesias thanked the First Sergeants' Council for their support.
"The First Sergeants jumped on board to provide their support because they
share our mission: taking care of people," she said.
Iglesias also said the Airman and Family Readiness Center wants to recognize the tour's 10 hostesses - Teresa Rice, Teresa Owens, Athena Cody, Patty Solo, Carol Zadalis, Kristin Ayyar, Terri Rice, Cathy Murphy, Trasi Mullin and Marty Clark.
Murphy said many other Randolph community spouses "volunteered their time to organize, advertise, sell tickets, take photos and help hostesses decorate and guide the evening of the event.
"The hostesses and volunteers enjoyed great friendship bonding opportunities through this charitable work, which is an additional blessing to the fundraiser for our Waiting Family program," she said.