![]() ![]() "Considering the turnaround time - we had the idea in October, we pushed it in November and we didn't have much opportunity to advertise it - it was hugely successful."ĭrawing on her experience with organizations that help the military in a variety of ways, Sergeant Chambers contacted the St. "She just came up and wanted to know if I wanted to help push it and it was a really big success for as quick as we did it," he said. James Mackey, 442nd Fighter Wing vice commander and the HRDC chairman, said this good-will initiative began when Major Abbott Marks approached him with the idea in October. For the people working the store, it was a huge blessing, helping our members give Christmas to their families."Ĭol. "We've had officers losing jobs, so it's not just for Airmen. ![]() "Some said they weren't going to be able to give their kids a Christmas, so it's really touched our unit," she said. What we had to offer - people were just touched. "When people first came over, they didn't know what to expect. Vickie Chambers, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Airman & Family Readiness office, and an HRDC member. "It's just sad that a lot of people don't realize that we're civilians a lot of the time and that we're hurt by the economy as much as anyone else. "I'm really happy that the 442nd is known as a family and that we pulled together to help our own," she said. Chrissy Abbott Marks, the 442nd Services Flight commander and an HRDC member. The "store," located near Whiteman's dining facility and its Arts and Crafts center, and set up for the December UTA by members of the wing's Human Resources and Development Council, served more than 90 families, according to Maj. ![]() And that it did, by offering free items ranging from diapers to digital cameras, thanks to the generosity of civilians and Citizen Airmen alike. It was meant to help wing Airmen and their families have a more meaningful Christmas in these though economic times. This short-lived enterprise wasn't meant to turn a profit. The 442nd Fighter Wing Operation Airmen Helping Airmen "Christmas store" opened its doors on the Saturday of the December unit training assembly - and shut its doors the next day. ![]()
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