Be someone's angel this year

Col. Patrick Doherty and wife Dee Dee, Chief Master Sgt. Blake Malpass and wife Sam, kickoff the 2011 Angel Tree program by choosing the first angels at the Xchange on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 21, 2011. The Angel Tree program is sponsored by Seymour Johnson’s Company Grade Officers Council and is held annually to help military families here, who may be struggling financially, give their children a memorable Christmas. Doherty is the 4th Figher Wing (FW) commander and a native of Lincoln, Neb., and Malpass is the 4 FW command chief and from Greensboro, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert)

Be someone's angel this year

A patron of the Xchange on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., looks at an angel on the Angel Tree, Nov. 21, 2011. The Angel Tree is a program hosted by the Company Grade Officer’s Council that selects families affiliated with the military to receive gifts for their children. First sergeants select Airmen and contractors, who may be struggling to make ends meet, to have their children’s names be confidentially place on the tree to help provide their families with a memorable Christmas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert)

Be someone’s angel this year

Published Nov. 22, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For many children, Christmas does not always mean presents piled-up under the tree or a stocking full of treats.

This year, Seymour Johnson's Company Grade Officer's Council (CGOC) organized the 2011 Angel Tree program to help bring Christmas to families here.

First sergeants seek out names of families experiencing financial difficulties and nominate them for the Angel Tree program so that children will not be impacted during the holidays. This year, more than 40 families have been nominated to be put on the tree, and more are still being added. Nominations can still be submitted to CGOC by first sergeants until Dec. 8.

"The Angel Tree is a great program," said Master Sgt. Joe Cason, 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron first sergeant. "The immediate benefit is that a child, who might have gone without a Christmas present this year, will instead, be able to avoid that disappointment. This is beneficial to the parents as well, because no parent wants to see that hurt or disappointment on the face of their child Christmas morning. Not only does it alleviate some worries for the parents of the children who have been registered, but it actually provides a teaching opportunity. Parents, whose children benefit from the tree, will be able to teach their children that when possible, you should help those less fortunate than yourself."

Although the origin of the Angel Tree is unknown, members of the CGOC believe the tree gives a chance to be someone's guardian angel and help them without either person knowing who the other is.

"I don't know the history of why it was called Angel Tree, but I think it has the meaning that you don't always know who your angels are, but they are always looking out for you," said 1st Lt. Cassie Cosentino, 4th Medical Group public health officer in charge and point-of-contact (POC) for the Angel Tree program.

All information provided through first sergeants is kept confidential, except the child's first name, age and an identification code which is only known to the first sergeant and the program POC.

Anyone who would like to help can select an angel from the tree in the Xchange. The angel contains basic information about the child such as their wishlist, clothing and shoe sizes. The unwrapped gifts purchased for the children should have the angel taped to it and be placed in the collection box located next to the tree before Dec. 16.

"Nothing is better than knowing you've contributed to the happiness of a child during the holidays," said 1st Lt. Sara Crocoll, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight commander.

For more information about registering for the Angel Tree program contact your unit first sergeant. For information about the program, contact Cosentino at 722-1052 or Crocoll at 722-0651.