Adopt-a-Family program brings holiday joy to local families, children

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With the holiday season approaching, a Moody outreach program will once again bring joy to underprivileged children and families who live in the local community.

The Adopt-a-Family program, sponsored by the Base Chapel for the past 32 years, allows Moody units and individuals to donate gifts such as clothing, household items and toys to local families and foster children.

"Our community has been very supportive of Moody so this is an opportunity to give back to them," said Anna Broaden, 23rd Wing chaplain's secretary and this year's program coordinator. "These families and children are less fortunate than many of us on base."

Of the hundreds that applied this year, 40 families and 21 children were adopted.

"We currently have 11 families left to adopt," she added. "We want to help as many people as we can, so we make sure everyone gets adopted."

To ensure every family and child are adopted, many Moody squadrons have made participation in the program a longtime tradition.

"We've been participating in this program since the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing moved to Moody," said Tech Sgt. Joel Decker, 93rd AGOW training NCO in-charge. "It's an awesome program and we enjoy participating every time."

For Sergeant Decker, the happiness he experienced during his childhood is another reason why it's important for him to be a part of the program.

"While growing up my mom had to use similar programs like this so we could have a Christmas," he said. "It was always nice to have presents. Without the donations of others, I would not have had the same experience.

"This year we signed up for two families because we felt like one family last year was not enough," he added. "It's important for us to be able to reach out to the community."

Collection days for Adopt-a-Family items are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14-18 at the Chapel.

If all the families and children are adopted, Airmen may still participate in the program during the collection times as volunteers to wrap and sort gifts, and prepare them for pick up on Dec. 18.

In 2008, Moody set a precedence of 30 families and 34 children who were supported through the program. More than $40,000 in gifts were purchased and donated to the program.

Mrs. Broaden urges others to open their hearts for a worthwhile program.

"We want them to experience a great holiday," she added. "That's why we need as many people to participate in the program as possible."

For more information, contact Mrs. Broaden at the Chapel at (229) 257-3211.