Angel Tree provides holiday gifts for children in need

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  This holiday season, Moody's Airman and Family Readiness Center continues a tradition that gives many families a Dec. 25 morning to remember.

The A&FRC has an Angel Tree set up in their lobby until Dec. 16 and it is decorated with paper ornaments, each of which contains a child's name and what he or she hopes to receive as a holiday present.

"All Moody members are encouraged to stop by and pick one or more of the ornaments off the tree," said Tonya McGough, A&FRC community life consultant. "When they've bought the gift requested on it, they just wrap it and return it to the A&FRC. We will take care of everything else."

For the past nine years, Mrs. McGough has been the Angel Tree project manager and still appreciates how much the gifts mean to the children.

"All of the children on the tree are related to an individual who works here on base," she said. "By taking one of these ornaments and fulfilling a child's wish, you are ensuring that there is a smile on that child's face for the holidays. It also ensures that those families know they are thought about and cared for by their Air Force community."

Although the recipients benefit from receiving these gifts, those who give also feel rewarded.

"Those who come by, grab an ornament and donate get to have an impact on a family's holiday,"
said Senior Master Sgt. Victor Johnson, A&FRC flight superintendent and Angel Tree donor. "This is the season of giving and those generous enough to do so get to experience a sense of pride for providing help for these families."

Sergeant Johnson also acknowledges that this sort of project accomplishes a lot for the Moody community.

"Having the Angel Tree is extremely important, especially this year with the current state of the economy," he said. "It's 'people always' and we are helping relieve the financial stress that some families are experiencing this time of the year. Along with that, the individuals on this base get to experience the camaraderie that comes with caring for your own."