Santa's Workshop comes to Eglin: Airmen donate time, presents to children in need

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As the holidays progress, people are turning their attentions to the children. 

The 28th Annual Give a Child a Christmas event, hosted by the Team Eglin Company Grade Officers Council, will give local underprivileged children throughout the Emerald Coast communities a chance to unwrap the holidays.

This year the program will provide 160 children from low-income families, who are currently in foster care, protective custody or out-of-home situations, the opportunity to experience a day filled with gifts and activities including games, lunch and a movie. More than 250 people volunteered their time to wrap the presents and ensure the event goes off without a hitch.

"So many people are feeling the pinch because of the economy but that should never be a reason to forget about the children," said 1st Lt. Stacy Baber, 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron and committee chair for the event. "I'm so blessed and (these children) ask for so little - why not do whatever it takes to make their Christmas great?"

Every year, Give a Child a Christmas begins with setting up the giving tree at the Base Exchange. Children put the list of presents they want from Santa on ornaments and hang them on the tree. Those who want to donate a gift select an ornament from the tree, purchase it and drop the gift off at the customer service desk inside the BX. Any wish list not selected will be completed with donations from the community and the Team Eglin CGOC. 

"Spare change is in short supply this year but there is always more than enough to buy something that will put a smile on a child's face," said an anonymous "Santa's Little Helper." 

The day before the event, volunteers show up at the Eglin Youth Center to wrap 480 presents - three per child - and load them up for the big event. Even with the high mission tempo, Tem Eglin Airmen still find time to help out. 

"I'm deploying in a few days but all my stuff is done," said Airman 1st Class Adrian Rampersad, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "Now I can spend what's left of my time helping these children. That means a lot to me knowing I can help make a child's Christmas special."

Children involved in this year's GACAC will have a day full of events Dec. 13. Starting at 6 a.m., children from the local area will arrive at the Air Force Armament Museum where they meet their escorts for the day. 

Then the children are off to the BX for a $100 shopping spree. After shopping, the children will be treated to the movie Wall-e at Nomad Hall. They wrap up their day at Eglin Elementary School where they can visit Santa and open their gifts donated by Team Eglin and the local communities. 

"Christmas still comes and these kids should have all their dreams come true," said Chief Master Sgt. Mervin Morris, 96th LRS. "They deserve to be happy and I'll do whatever I can to make that happen."