Giving children Christmas mission accomplished for CGOC

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Providing Christmas day for 150 of the local area's most underprivileged children was one complicated task, but the smiles on small faces made it all worth it.

On Dec. 5, the Eglin Company Grade Officers' Council successfully orchestrated the annual Give a Child a Christmas with the help of their Air Force family here.

"It's exciting to see children, especially the unfortunate ones, get into the Christmas spirit," said Staff Sgt. Latoria Glover, volunteer elf from the 96th Contracting Squadron.

Children had a six-hour day on base full of activities from breakfast at the Air Armament Museum, watching a movie at Nomad Hall, shopping at the Base Exchange, ending with lunch and activities at the Youth Center.

Throughout the day, CGOs radioed needs across the base and kept track of all the moving parts behind the scenes. Call sign "Finance 1" was asked to purchase six more bikes at the BX just moments before the first bus reports they are within a half-hour out of being at the Youth Center. Two children went home sick and others had to be told by Santa's crew that if they couldn't behave their day would end short.

All the "chaos" goes unseen by the cheerful crowd of youngsters and volunteer Beverly Gallow, second in charge at the center, knew everything would come together in the end.

"This year will be a lot of fun," the spouse of a civilian employee here said in anticipation after making sure every tag in the room full of gifts was matched just right.

"It's really important they enjoy their day," said 1st Lt. Cole Russell, CGOC planning team member.

Although he was pivotal in coordinating the actions of 300 volunteers over the course of the past few months, he said the hardest part was getting the children to feel secure leaving their parents early in the morning.

"But once they are with us, they are happy," Lieutenant Cole said confidently knowing that the day would be one of the children's best, especially those who received time away from the shelters most of them live in.

Even "Santa" grew a beard for the occasion knowing that most years he finds an opportunity to make the holiday merry even if it is just for his wife's students at her special needs school. Retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Norman Butler was getting a hearing test at Eglin's hospital when someone took notice of his flowing white hair and beard. They asked him if he'd support the event and the experienced "Santa" immediately took the opportunity.

"The best part is seeing their faces light up," he said. "It's a joy."

While "Santa" overcame the challenges of youngsters who may get scared and the heat of his furry red suit, children reported on their day.

One eight-year old girl talked about her "fun" shopping and trying on lots of clothes. Another boy her age said he wanted money for video games.

"This is the best time of the year for them," said Tech. Sgt. Damian Sotelo who said at least 20 of his Airman Leadership School students helped out wrapping presents into the wee hours of the night prior to the day. "We know they aren't in the best situation and I hope this is a reprieve for them."

A 7-year old reported that he knew an elf was "fake" but was confident he would get a Nintendo DS from Santa because the boy told him to.

Each child had specifically requested what they wanted and the CGOC decorated two trees on base with their wish ornaments for shoppers to add to their list. A $15 thousand budget was already in place for the non-profit GACAC program so any unfulfilled gifts could be purchased, thanks to many fundraisers and donations. No child was left behind. Even children who didn't make it to "Christmas" at Eglin would get a gift certificate while another child would take their place to enjoy the day.

For the children living off base, it was also first-time opportunity to see a military installation.

Capt. Greg Smith, volunteer from the 687th ARSS said the child he escorted enjoyed seeing the aircraft as the bus drove by static displays as well as the six bags of popcorn he ate for an early morning snack.