Warm hearts sharing warm coats Published Nov. 16, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- It's that time of year again where many become thankful for what they have and give to those less fortunate. Airmen from Seymour Johnson and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan are hosting the 2011 Coats for Kids drive which allows Airmen, families and the local community to give back, not just to children in Wayne County, but also to children in Afghanistan. Some of the coats collected will be given to the local Salvation Army coat drive to be distributed to families in Wayne County, while the rest of the coats will be packaged and sent to Afghanistan during a humanitarian mission, said Staff Sgt. Gregory Huffman, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron (CMS) unit deployment manager. "The point of the program is simple," said Staff Sgt. Jarad Viss, 4 CMS aircraft hydraulics craftsman who is deployed to Afghanistan and is an organizer for the coat drive. "Give to others and in time you will be able to build a relationship. We have to give back to everyone around us and if we all go the extra mile we will be able to change the world." Many Afghan families work on Bagram Airfield during summer and fall months, however, around December, many leave the region because they do not have the essential clothing to survive the cold weather. Providing them coats will not only foster better relations with the local nationals, but it may also provide a steadier work force for the families and the base in order to support the mission. "Something as simple as giving a gift to someone can change perception of what they have been exposed to and what they know," Viss said. "The children today in Afghanistan that remember a servicemember who gave them a coat might change Afghanistan in the future." A donation of a gently used coat will provide warmth for not only children in Afghanistan but for many in Wayne County. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 16, there will be collection points at the 4th Medical Group flight medicine office, the pharmacy lobby, the entrance of the dental clinic and at the 4 CMS readiness section. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Huffman at 919-722-4062 or gregory.huffman@seymourjohnson.af.mil.