Butterball Donation

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Travis Birks, 911th Air Refueling Squadron first sergeant, pulls cases of frozen turkeys off of a truck on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 14, 2012. Butterball donated 252 frozen turkeys to the First Sergeant Council food basket drive that provides ready-to-prepare meals for Airmen and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

Butterball Donation

First Sergeants separate food baskets into their respective squadrons at the 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron Dock 1 on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 14, 2012. The First Sergeant Council asked base personnel for donations for the food baskets to give to Airmen with families or families with a deployed love one. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

Giving thanks

Published Nov. 15, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to come together, be thankful for what they have and enjoy a feast.

Since 2008 the First Sergeant Council has run the food basket event, making sure Airmen with families, or families with a deployed love one, have food for the holiday.

The first sergeants coordinate the event and ask Airmen across base to donate side items such as yams, mashed potatoes and dinner rolls for the basket, said Master Sgt. Geoffrey Kane, a first sergeant attached to the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. Butterball also helped by donating 252 uncooked turkeys.

"Thanksgiving is an American tradition and we are appreciative and thankful to be able to support our American troops," said Stephanie Llorente, public relations manager of Butterball.

The First Sergeant Council along with volunteers came together to accept and unload the frozen turkeys and place one in each food basket that Airman Leadership School students prepared.
"The number one purpose of this event is to provide a complete, ready-to-prepare meal for members of Seymour Johnson," Kane said.

The food baskets will go to Airmen that were specifically chosen by their first sergeant.

"Supervisors recognize the needs of their Airmen and request donations on their behalf," Kane said. "It's truly the first-line supervisors who make this event a success, ensuring those who need the assistance are the ones being helped. Thanks to all those who made donations in either food, money or time to make this event a success."