AFTAC Cares Program-last update, 2009.08.16
ORIGINAL NOTICE, 2007.07 : The spouses of AFTAC have started AFTAC CARES – a project sending bimonthly care packages to deployed AFTACers and to deployed family members/friends of anyone working at AFTAC. If you would like more information, email, aftacspouse@yahoo.com.
Point of Contact Notices:
2008.12-Gay Ann Bedard, Active-Duty (previously Haywon Kim served): Ms. Bedard sent us the following note to pass on to all 'Sage Supporters': "Thank you for all you are doing for AFTAC and a big thank you for your support with our deployed troops.
2009.01-Gay Ann wrote: "One thing that is just wonderful is how the Alumni supports the Active duty. I can not Thank you enough for all you do! Just before Christmas an Alumni handed me a check. I told her it would be used for our next care boxes which would include Valentine items. Thank you, Gay Ann Bedard"
THE PROGRAM (updates follow):
Using a list of items suggested by those returning from deployment, we sent off our first shipment of five care packages in May, 07. We assembled a range of items from socks, baby wipes, Gold Bond powder to individual microwaveable brownies, drink mixes, and magazines in each flat rate priority mail box (thus ensuring that the packages would proceed directly to the military member and not be held up in a processing center).
We are continually in the process of preparing care packages and collecting the names and addresses of our deployed family members. Boxes have been set up at the front and back entrances of the AFTAC HQ’s building for donations. Suggested items include (Website Editor Note, consider bringing an item each time you visit the builiding, meetings, etc):
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Magazines |
Socks – white, reinforced toe |
Tuna packs |
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Jerky |
Gum |
Powdered drink packs |
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Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer |
Individual servings of microwaveable food |
Puzzle books |
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Baby wipes |
Gold Bond powder, travel size |
Batteries (AA) |
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Hard candy |
Individual packs of nuts |
Paperback books |
Monetary donations, mailed and in person, have been received and are very much appreciated. If mailing, please send them to the LRD Alumni Assn address, "Long Range Detection Alumni Assn, P.O. Box 254892, Patrick AFB, FL 32925-0892," and mark them, 'AFTAC Cares Program,' and direct thier use, if you desire. That PO Box is checked on a regular basis. If writing a check, please make out to Gay Ann Bedard since the spouses are not an official organization in any way. She will make sure the funds are used as you direct. For information purposes, the 150 minute AT&T phone card is popular and is available for $9.80 at BXes. We also have bake sales at occasional Burger Burns (at the Outback, behind the HQ's building, on Thursdays, 11am to 12:30pm) to help raise funds to pay for postage and the purchase of additional items.
Program Updates/Appreciations:
2007.09.30, Haywon Kim email: We mailed 8 'Care Packages' in July (4 to AFTACers and 4 to family members) and again in September (7 AFTACers and 1 family member).
2007.12.09, Haywon Kim email: We sent out 10 boxes in November, with 9 AFTACers deployed and/or on the ships.
2008.02.11, Haywon Kim email: To date, we've mailed over 40 packages.
2008.05.28, Haywon Kim email: We've had a bunch of turn-over of recipients and two of our "long-term" (I.e., 365 days) deployed returned home! Of course, we had several more ship out. Last month, we prepared care packages for 7 AFTACers. We were able to make use of the donations that the local community have given to the 1st Sergeants Council at Patrick and were able to fill the boxes with a wide variety of goodies. As part of the community support, one of AFTAC's own -- Lt Figueiredo -- found himself coordinating the donation of hundreds of pounds of coffee from the Palm Coast Starbucks (that's what happens when you stop in for a latte!). So he/they graced our efforts in May with 75 pounds of coffee. Since we had a smaller number of recipients, we were able to use the extra postage funding we receive from AFTAC's booster club to send each recipient a second box entirely of coffee! Since all the coffee is in the form of coffee beans, we hope they have access to coffee grinders (especially since many are in locations with 220v power supply). Our next care package party will be in July.
I am looking for another spouse to take over the coordination of the AFTAC Cares program, and, until then, we shall keep up the program as long as we can. In the meantime here's one of the latest thanks:
“Thank you so much for the package. It arrived today. One of my coworkers commented that someone put a great deal of thought into this package - lot's good treats and fun stuff too. Please extend my thanks to everyone who was a part of putting it together. Sincerely, Dean”
2008.10.23, Haywon Kim email:
AFTAC Spouses (from previous AFTAC CC),
Once again, the AFTAC spouses came through with another great care package. While
the toiletries were useful, the toys were much more fun. We shared with our team
mates and played with them for a while, relieving some of the stress in our combat
environment. The coffee and other food items are also the most appreciated...not
because our food isn't good here, but it is great to have snacks! I will have
to say that my most favorite item in this care package was the Halloween-themed,
glow-in-the-dark PEZ dispenser. It is a conversation piece as it sits on my desk
and perfect for the month of October.
I really appreciate all the extra time the AFTAC spouses have taken to keep in contact
with our deployed team. We know that you care and it shows with your regular packages...and
especially good ones too. It's great to be part of the AFTAC family...thanks
again for your support. Keep it up! Col W / Mark
Dear AFTAC Spouses Club,
Thank you so much for the care package! We really appreciate treats, magazines
and the toys for the kids. You should see how peoples' eyes light up when a
care package hits the table. They are like children at Christmas. We really appreciate
the time and thought you all put into these packages and your support for our efforts
here.
By the way, my section has moved from the Embassy Palace to another base here in
the International Zone. This is all part of the transition - giving the palace
back to the Iraqi government and having them take the lead as we settle into more
of a support role.
Thanks again for all you do. Sincerely, Dean Wardell
Thank you for my two care packages. I just got them this evening. What a collection
of treasures! I think I'm going to forward the coffee into a program we have
here that sends stuff to the smaller outlying FOBs who don't have BXs or coffee
shops or anything. I'll forward the letter with it, so they can send pictures
back to the donating Starbucks. That 4-in-1 dental care thing is the strangest
thing I've ever seen: I can't say I've ever owned a tongue scraper,
and I've definitely never seen a metal pipe cleaner looking tool that you're
supposed to use in place of dental floss; I really wonder if this thing is US dentist
approved. I won't tell you where I'll sit and read the magazines and game
books. The Blue Lizard suntan lotion seems a little odd: the package says "bottle
turns blue in UV light". I can't wait for the sun to come up tomorrow
to go out and see if that really happens. Not being a big Wacky Paddle Ball player
myself, I'm going to bring the toys to the next VCR mission and amaze the children
with the gravity defying little helicopter thingees. Microwave popcorn and brownies
are my favorite!
Well stay safe from hurricanes. Thanks for thinking of me! Wayne Bell
I got the package today!! Thanks a bunch for working that thru! The magazines
are great, and the coffee was like Merry Christmas to some of these guys out here!
Its like the drug of choice with the hours people work, and having stuff that tastes
good is a blessing. Thanks so much for thinking of me over here--it really means
a lot to hear from people back home, and know that you guys care about me out here.
Sarah Rull
Good Morning, I just want to drop a line to thank you guys for the care package.
It came as a very pleasant and unexpected surprise!! :-) As a total coffee-holic,
the starbucks is a huge hit!! It makes these long 12-hr mid-shifts a little easier
to survive. Thanks again!!! SSgt Matt Elliott
Dear AFTAC Spouses Group, I just received an e-mail from MSgt Ralph “Clay” Himmelsbach,
who is deployed in Iraq. He passed on his sincere thanks for the care package he
received from your group. Clay said it was really nice but was pleasantly surprised
when told he had a package for pickup because he hadn't even given anyone his
mailing address. MSgt Himmelsbach works for me as the Superintendent of Systems
Control, which is AFTAC’s 24/7/365 one-stop, round-the-world maintenance shop.
He oversees a workcenter comprised of about 20 airmen and NCOs and this 125 day
deployment impacts us both from a work standpoint and personally. I’m very proud
of Clay for volunteering for this assignment. It shows exemplary leadership and
patriotism. His wife, Lizbeth, and daughter are doing well. I talk with her each
weekend to see if any help or support is needed while Clay is deployed. They live
in the Palm Bay area. She is keeping in touch with him via e-mail and telephone.
Thanks for your concern and active involvement
in bettering the quality of life for our troops in harms’ way. Kindest regards and
appreciation, George Mirda
Lt. Figueiredo, I'd like to thank you for the shipment of Starbuck's coffee
which arrived today, 24 Sep 2008. This shipment will be distributed among my team
operating from a classified location in Baghdad. The team is composited of USA,
USAF, and civilian contract specialists tasked with conducting specialized counter-terrorist
operations and working to accomplish key strategic theater goals, including eliminating
AQI and Shi'a extremist cells and giving our assistance in re-establishing the
Iraqi legal system. We'll be unable to send you photographs of the team for
security reasons but did want to send you our thanks. Feel free to share this response
with your Starbuck's representative after removing my e-mail address from this
message. Sincerely, Russell Sanders
2008.12.10, Haywon Kim email: We mailed out 10 care packages last November. While some were to active duty AFTACers, AFTAC has quite a few reservists who are civilian employees at AFTAC.
Here are some of the thank yous we've received:
I rec’d the care packages with treats from the heart. Thanks to everyone for thinking of me. The items will be put to good use. I’ve already hung up the two turkeys (kids hands in our work office walls) I can’t wait to put out the Xmas decorations. The days are going by fast due to the long work days. This care package reminds me that there is a light at the end of this tunnel...Something to look forward to! Laquisha Highsmith
I’d like to thank you for the care packages I’ve received during my deployment. It sure is nice to get a box of goodies from home. You do a real nice job of providing a good variety of useful things. The toiletries, snacks, greeting cards, phone cards, socks, magazines, games, holiday decorations, etc. It’s great, very thoughtful. Thank you very much! Thanks again and happy holidays! MSgt Himmelsbach
Thanks again for your continuing support of the AFTAC Cares program.
2009.02.20 Gay Bedard email:
AFTAC Spouses (from previous AFTAC/CC),
It was so heartwarming to have a care package waiting for me upon myreturn to Baghdad from R&R. Once again, the package was right on themark with the usual snacks and wonderful coffee. You out did yourselves with the addition of two DVDs and a phone card. The movies will provide a welcome diversion on the occasional evening that is not chock full o fwork and the phone card gives me such flexibility to call my family in Melbourne and elsewhere without worrying about the time. Receiving the phone card was particularly important this month as my mother had a knee replacement surgery and I've been staying in touch with her cell phone in the hospital. She has really appreciated my calls from the battlefield. I had a tremendous time with my family -- Haywon and the boys -- and am excited that I only have 4 months left in my one-year deployment. I'm also excited about getting back and seeing my AFTAC family. Your consistent and strong support sure helps my spirits during some of the long, long days. Keep it up AFTAC Team.Thank you! Col W / Mark Col Mark WestergrenDirector, MNF/C-I CM&D
Dear AFTAC, Your box arrived in good shape. The little frog that sings "let me call you sweetheart" was a huge hit! The snacks were great and those simple little personal items are highly sought after. I never thought I would
be so glad to see clean white socks.We have a couple coffee aficionados here who REALLY appreciate theStarbucks coffee. You will also be happy to know that the movies you sent are being featured in our section's weekly movie night. For me, the pinnacle was the phone card. As we are on the move and transitingthrough various sites and air ports, the phone card is a lifeline toloved ones. In those situations with no cell phone service or emailaccess the phone card is as good as gold. Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you all in May.Sincerely,Dean DEAN C. WARDELL, Maj, USAF
2009.08.16 Update from Birdie Bedard
Hi I did not receive these til a day ago. I know they won't make it in for awhile but I wanted you to have them. The AFTAC Spouses group could not do these boxes with out the help of All the Alumni. Thank you for remembering our deployed AFTAC family members.
Gay Ann Bedard
AFTAC Spouses,
I just wanted to thank you for recent care package I received. It was
definitely a great surprise to 1) actually get mail, and 2) have some
good snacks and things. The phone card was awesome too! It beats the 15
minute time limit for DSN morale calls. Also, if you could give my
thanks to Starbucks for the coffee. The guys out here opened that up
right away and started grinding. Anyhow, all is well out here, and it's
good to know there is a lot of support from home. Once again, thank you
for all your support!
Very respectfully,
DAMON R.M. WONG, 1st Lt, USAF
887 ESFS/S2 OIC
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AFTAC Spouses,
Thank you very much for the care package that you sent me. It is greatly appreciated! Full of goodies and reading materials that will help pass the time.
Weather is hot, dry and dusty….there’s a constant dirt smell in your nose. Attacks have picked up…even during daylight hours now but for the most part, no one seriously injured. 3 Months down with 3 to go in the “Sand Box”…..can’t wait to come home!
Thanks again for the package!
v/r
TSgt Milburn
332 ECS/SCONS
Joint Base Balad, Iraq
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Thank you for the recently received package of goodies. Again, as has
been the trend for each of your packages received, the team gathered
around my desk to grab their favorite treat. The Starbucks coffee is
always a special treat and enjoyed by all.
Thank you again for thinking of me. I look forward to my return home in
the Fall.
Tom
Thomas C. Donnelly, LT USN
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Dear AFTAC Spouses,
Thank you so much for the care package. The thought and the effort are very much appreciated. All the snacks disappeared very quickly between my coworkers and myself. You don’t know how much it brightens a person’s day, hearing that you've received mail! Please keep it up, it means the world to us to know we’re not forgotten over here.
Thanks Again!
Nicholas J. Anderson, SSgt, USAF
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TSgt Smallwood,
I received the AFTAC Spouse’s Group Care Package. The night shifters were very excited about the coffee. I will see if I can get some pictures for the Starbucks wall (no cameras allowed in the area). The group out here made a comment about how some of the Units that have tropps out here don’t do this kind of thing.
Could you pass along my thanks to the Spouse’s Group for me?
SSgt Kappel, Nick |
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