Adopt-A-Family program spreads holiday cheer Published Dec. 18, 2007 By Capt. Jessica Martin Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The annual Adopt-A-Family program wrapped up this year on Dec. 19 after collecting more than 3,500 gifts for 300 base families in need. This charitable initiative was overseen by the First Sergeants Council that delivered presents to Nellis families in need of some extra help this holiday season. Local community agencies such as banks, fire departments and veterans organizations, as well as individuals and base personnel joined in to "adopt" the families and provide unwrapped gifts. The First Sergeants Council needed to do little to advertise the program as both on- and off-base participants started calling early in the season about when they could drop off their donations. "We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of the community," said Master Sgt. Joseph Perez, Adopt-a-Family lead coordinator. "We sincerely appreciate the generosity of the donators and their thoughtful gifts--they will ensure the deserving children of our Airmen enjoy the holidays." First Sergeants and supervisors identified families they felt could benefit from the program and provided those names to the First Sergeants Council. The council came together with the Top 3 organization and 40 other base volunteers to set up the Nellis Support Center hangar for collecting, wrapping and delivering presents to the families Dec. 20 and 21. Army and Air Force Exchange Service also got involved in the festivities by placing the families' wish lists on the Angel Tree located in the base exchange for all shoppers to select a tag. Exchange employees also collected donations and helped wrap presents. "Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped put this together," said Sergeant Perez. "Seeing the families' expressions of gratitude when they receive the gifts is priceless, and can't be accomplished without the volunteers' selfless dedication."
