Donated every year

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Emma Rector, retired military spouse, donates money to the Moody’s First Sergeants Council before continuing her shopping Nov. 23. All donations to the Moody’s First Sergeants Council will be used to help less fortunate military families during the holiday season despite their financial situation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)(RELEASED)

Please donate

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Senior Airman Christian Franco, 23rd Component Maintenance Squadron test cell technician, takes donations outside the Commissary Nov. 23. The Moody’s First Sergeants Council will be taking donations this holiday season to assist less fortunate military families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)(RELEASED)

Everyone donates

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Gabriel Jacobs, son of Tech. Sgt. Adam Jacobs and wife Cyndi, donates money to the Moody’s First Sergeants Council Nov. 23. The money collected will be used to support military families during the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)(RELEASED)

Ring the bell

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- A volunteer for the Moody’s First Sergeants Council rings a bell for donations outside the Commissary Nov. 23. Donation stations will be set up at the Base Exchange, Commissary and Shoppette throughout the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)(RELEASED)

Thank you for donating

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Lorie Solis, military spouse, drops money into the Moody’s First Sergeants Council donation bucket as Airman Ryan Countryman, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron, rings the bell outside the Shoppette Nov. 23. Airman Countryman is one of several volunteers who assist the First Sergeants Council in raising money. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)(RELEASED)

Ring a bell for fellow Airmen

Published Nov. 24, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The holiday season is the most expensive time of the year, with gifts to buy and holiday meals to prepare. That's why the Moody First Sergeants Council is collecting donations to help less fortunate Airmen.

Volunteers will be ringing a bell until Dec. 17 throughout different locations on-base with a goal to collect $14,000 this holiday season.

"During the holiday seasons we want everyone to enjoy themselves," said Master Sgt. Donald McNulty, 723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "Each day a squadron will be set up at the Exchange, Commissary and Shoppette to help collect donations to give to their fellow wingmen."

Tech. Sgt. Carl Louk, 41st Rescue Squadron flight engineer, is volunteering for the second time.

"This is a great way to give back to my fellow Airmen- I also volunteered to participate in the 'ring-a-bell' fundraiser last year," he said. "I remember being a young Airman with a family during the holidays; it can be hard sometimes.

In the past, the first sergeants distributed gift baskets, but this wasn't the most effective way to use the donations.
"We switched to gift cards because they can purchase whatever they may need," said Sergeant McNulty. "They are an easy and effective way to give back and not have to worry about giving them the wrong thing."

After the gift cards are purchased, the first sergeants will then talk to each squadron and find out who is eligible to receive donations.

"Their supervisors will come to us and let us know that someone is in need during the holidays," said Sergeant McNulty. "We give the supervisor the card and let them hand the card to that Airman.

"After the cards are handed out, the Airman can spend it on whatever they would like whether, it's gifts for their family or just a nice turkey dinner," he added.

The Ring-a-bell donations started in 2008 and will continue to help Airman and their families through the holidays.