RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Air Force Aid and the Combined Federal Campaign annually assist financially strapped Team Randolph Airmen, but there is one other program Airmen can turn to for immediate financial aid during the holidays.
"Operation Warm Heart," spearheaded by Randolph Air Force Base first sergeants, grants cash, gift cards and food vouchers to Airmen, Air Force civilians and contractors from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
First Sergeants handle all requests for assistance and present it to those in need. Aid recipients aren't required to reimburse the Randolph First Sergeants' Council.
"It's all grant money; there's never a loan involved," said Master Sgt. John Kiernan, 12th Medical Group first sergeant. "They receive help, then get on their way and don't owe a dime."
Sergeant Kiernan explained Base Chapel parishioners contribute funds for the program, as well as Base Exchange and Commissary shoppers, prodded on by "bell ringers" now through Dec.11. The First Sergeants' Council identifies those in need and distributes the money.
Council members may automatically approve requests for monetary grants of $500. A council vote is needed on requests for larger monetary amounts.
Sergeant Kiernan said during last year's holiday season, Team Randolph gave about $15,000 to Operation Warm Heart.
His assistant in the program, Master Sgt. Brian Posten, Air Force Personnel Center first sergeant, said the council members bought 250 gift cards for this Thanksgiving and will buy close to 300 for Christmas. He also said the council spent nearly $6,000 on grocery store food for this year's hjoliday season.holiday season.
Sergeant Posten said the program recently helped an Airman who went through a divorce.
"Her ex-husband tried to take custody of their child. Extensive legal costs and general cost of living started to add up," he said. "She manages the bills, provides a home for her child and does a great job at work while engrossing herself in volunteer and leadership programs. This Airman never asked for any financial help. She was very touched when she was given gift cards for the Thanksgiving holiday."
"First Sergeants have been doing things like this, informally, forever," said Sergeant Kiernan. "The welfare of our Airmen is our business."
Sergeant Posten agreed with Sergeant Kiernan and said," Even though we don't solve financial problems, our Airmen, civilians, and contractors know we care."
For more information about Operation Warm Heart, contact your unit's first sergeant.