Nellis Air Force Sergeant Association prepares to bring cheer to children Published Nov. 30, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney Nellis AFB Publiic Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- For many people, the holidays are a time of enjoyment to spend with family and friends. But for the children of Child's Haven, a Clarke County shelter for abused children who've been removed from their homes, the holidays can be a lonely time. To bring cheer to the more than 75 children in Child's Haven homes this holiday season, the Nellis Air Force Sergeants Association has begun organizing an angel tree, providing these children with gifts donated by Nellis servicemembers. In past years, the Nellis AFSA, Chapter 1252, a professional organization of more than 1,500 active duty, national guard, reserve and retired Air Force servicemembers, collected gifts for U.S. veterans throughout Nevada, but this year AFSA wanted to do something more. "We really wanted to go above and beyond for these kids and try to take their mind off of some of the problems they might be experiencing this time of year," said Tech. Sgt. Larnique Mickens, AFSA Chapter 1252 vice president. There are six different Child's Haven cottages who will receive gifts. Each of the six cottages house's a different age group, varying from infants to 17-year-olds. "Our goal is to put at least one gift into each child's hands. If we can get more, then we can really make this Christmas special for these kids," Sergeant Mickens said. "There is no specific price range for the gifts, it is simply up to the individual. From what I've seen, many people at Nellis have big hearts," she continued. Anyone wanting to participate should call Sergeant Mickens at 652-3014 and tell her what age group they will be purchasing a gift for. Then donators simply need to bring the unwrapped gifts to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron in building 878. "AFSA will accept monetary donations as well. As Christmas nears, We'll go purchase gifts for the children, or possibly purchase a group gift like a DVD player or a video game system for a cottage," said Sergeant Mickens.
