First Sergeants' Council delivers food baskets to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Les Waters
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Nearly 200 Airmen and their families here are guaranteed to have a Christmas dinner with all the fixings this year thanks to the efforts of the First Sergeants' Council, base squadrons and the local community donating food items for holiday food baskets.

Master Sgt. Shannon Payne, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant and First Sergeants' Council president, said the shirts have collected holiday food baskets for at least the past three years.

"We do this to help some of our Airmen who may be struggling a bit - the holidays are one of those times because you have the added pressure of Christmas," Sgt. Payne said.

Every unit across the base had a part in the food baskets, whether it was from providing donations, packing them or receiving one. Each squadron provided different items to go into the baskets, while Airman Leadership Class 2010-B helped put them together. The First Sergeants' Council also worked with Butterball for the second year in a row for turkey donations.

According to Sgt. Payne, Master Sgt. Paul Kaiser, a former first sergeant called Butterball last year and inquired about donating turkeys. "We were thinking 10 or 15 turkeys, but they wanted to help so much they gave them all to us," she said. "Last year they donated 150 turkeys, this year it was 200. This saved us thousands of dollars and we were able to give our Airmen a decent holiday meal at a very low cost."

The First Sergeants' Council president said she worked with Butterball since July. "It was not until last week they wanted to personally deliver them to us; last year we picked them up. Most of their (corporate leaders) were in attendance."

"Butterball is proud to call North Carolina home, and we feel it is important to recognize those in the local community whose unwavering commitment and responsibility make the spirit of the holiday season possible," said Keith Shoemaker, president and CEO of Butterball, LLC. "It is an honor to use this time of year as an occasion to show respect and gratitude to the Airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base who do so much for our country."

Airmen and their families were chosen by supervisors and first sergeants who knew the Airmen's personal situations. First sergeants personally delivered food baskets to their Airmen or had the Airmen come into the first sergeant's office to receive the basket.

"In comparison, this is truly only a small effort to assist our Airmen who work hard all year to provide for their families, as they sacrifice so much to keep our country and its allies safe," said Master Sgt. Christopher Nash, 4th Comptroller Squadron first sergeant. "Any opportunity we have to help our Airmen and their families is a huge privilege and honor. They are worth every effort! To be able to team up with our off-base partners makes this even more exciting."

Most of the Airmen could not believe the amount of food they received.

"I felt really appreciative knowing someone was thinking about my family and me during the holidays," said Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs photo section supervisor. "Christmas in this economy is tough enough; the food that was given to me from the First Sergeants' Council will go a long way. Everything I will need to make a family dinner is in the bag, including dessert. What more can I ask for?"