Airmen help with local food drive

Published Nov. 26, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Dozens of Peterson Airmen took time out of their busy schedules recently to make sure families enjoy some hearty holiday meals this season.

From Nov. 19 to Nov. 21, more than 125 Airmen spent four hours each volunteering for Care and Share's annual Harvest of Love food drive. The Airmen unloaded truckloads of donated food at the organization's warehouse and then sorted and boxed it all. The more than 100,000 pounds of food will be distributed to hundreds of food pantries throughout Southern Colorado and western Kansas.

This is the fifteenth year Peterson Airmen have helped with the Harvest of Love food drive. It's a partnership that's key to the drive's success, said Wanda Stanley, Care and Share's volunteer coordinator.

"This is one of our biggest food drives, so having the volunteers come in and help us is essential," she said. "We just don't have enough people working here to do it without the volunteers."

It's equally beneficial for the Airmen who volunteer. Staff Sgt. Stella Hilario, a member of the 76th Space Control Squadron, said she was thrilled to have a chance to give back.

"I enjoy doing it," she said. "It's the holidays, and you want to help people who are less fortunate."

The volunteer effort also helps boost the base's relationship with the local community, said volunteer and Tech Sgt. Jennifer Dunlop, a member of the 76th SPCS.

"Volunteering with projects like this gives the base a better reputation," she said. "It's not just an area with a fence around it; it's a part of the community."