Test wing, firefighters team up with local school to 'adopt' families

  • Published
  • By Team Eglin Public Affairs
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 46th Operations Group and Eglin Fire and Emergency Services teamed up to show holiday cheer by providing Christmas gifts to needy Bruner Middle School students and their families.

Volunteering to support the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., school began when the group answered Eglin's Firefighter Association's call to Team Eglin for help with their Adopt-a-Family program this holiday season.

"This year we supported Bruner, but the program is not school specific," said Master Sgt. Christy Skerrett, who has helped needy families with the private organization for 10 years. "A fireman received information about a family from the school and when we contacted them we found out about other families.

Master Sgt. George Freeman, 46th Operations Support Squadron first sergeant, said he didn't realize he was getting more than he bargained for.

"At the time, we thought we were adopting one family; it turned out to be four," Sergeant Freeman said. "Then, we realized we only had one day to get the items to the families."
Within four hours, members of the 46th OG donated $1,000, and also clothing and a WII gaming system, a special request of one of the adopted family members.

"We were able to go out that night and purchase everything the families needed," said Sergeant Freeman.

Emilio Cordero, Bruner Middle School translator and interpretor, said he received a call from the firefighter's professional organization in September asking if there were any students they could help. Immediately teachers and adminstrators looked at their list of more than 30 needy families to come up with the five neediest.

"We were honored to have them help," he said. "They did an outstanding job. If the firefighters and the other units there didn't come around then these people wouldn't have a Christmas at all. We just couldn't do it without them."

Both Eglin and the school described the emotional joy of the people who received their gifts.

"It's enjoyable, but heart wrenching. When they cry, it's a good thing," Sergeant Skerrett said about the gratitude family's display. "We want to make sure they have a Christmas. For the last three years our families would have had no presents and this year they had no tree."

Sergeant Freeman presented the gifts to the families with Chief Master Sgt. Robert Boyer, 46th OG command chief.

"Their reactions were the greatest thing," Chief Boyer said. "The families were so thankful."

Eglin firefighters said the most memorable moments in the program are seeing the parent's faces when gifts are presented to their children.

"It's mainly about the children," Sergeant Skerrett said. "We had four children in this year's family. We shopped for about four or five outfits a piece and toys. The parents received a gift card to buy food for the holiday."

Choosing a family each year means first finding an organization needing support and then picking the family who is the worst off, she said.

"Just seeing there's a need out there and how we were able to help; well it's very rewarding," said Chief Boyer.

"I got emotional myself," said Mr. Cordero. "You just can't believe what this does for the families. It made my Christmas."

Caring is the objective of Bruner, according to Mr. Cordero.  They look out for families like one Eglin supported, who he said was living on nothing but water. He has been helping them with rent and utilities but also noticed there was no milk or diapers when he arrived at the home were toddlers were living.

Darry Childs, Eglin Firefighter Association president, said it is a great thing that this program is spreading.

"We are grateful that more families can be helped during the holiday season. Hopefully next year Team Eglin will be able to assist more families in the local community," he said.