MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Team Moody is holding its annual free gift-wrapping event in the lobby of the Exchange on Dec. 15-16 and 20-21, 2021, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This year’s gift wrapping was sponsored by the Community Action Team and Airmen Angel’s program to bring awareness to perinatal and infant loss. This Spark Tank sponsored initiative provides information and supportive services for anyone that experienced the loss of a child.
“This is the third annual event,” said Senior Airman Ladarious Brown, 23rd Wing integrated resilience assistant. “It is for mothers and fathers who have dealt with stillborn (births) or loss of a child at any time. We’re partnering with the Airmen’s Angel program to provide free gift wrapping in support of them while bringing awareness to this issue.”
Anyone in the community with base access is welcome to bring their gifts for wrapping by volunteers.
“These people are amazing,” said Master Sgt. Tommy Beers, 41st Rescue Squadron first sergeant.
“It’s awesome what they’re doing, and it helps me out because I don’t have to wrap the gifts,” he said with a laugh.
The event received a huge turn out from the Moody Air Force Base community.
“We wrap anywhere from 50 to 375 gifts per year,” Brown said. “Usually, the last week we have a line wrapped around the building, and that’s not including the gifts we get for the Angel Tree.”
The Angel Tree is a Christmas tree in the Exchange with angel ornaments containing a gift option for children of Moody members that are going through financial hardships.
“If there are any parents who have recently dealt with a miscarriage or stillbirth and have other children, this will give them the opportunity to mourn their loss,” Brown said. “As a part of the Community Action Team, we meet to discuss ways that we can improve Moody Air Force Base and work on the issues that our Airmen have.”
For more information on how to remain resilient and help others do the same, reach out to Moody’s resiliency program members Phaedra Crews at 229-257-9472 and Brown at 229-257-4060.