Minot Airmen participate in Operation Angel Tree

Published Dec. 1, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Operation Angel Tree is scheduled to run from Nov. 26 through Dec. 10, providing an upwards of nearly 400 children from Air Force Global Strike Command families here with holiday gifts this winter season.

Master Sgt. Jennifer Shelley, 5th Communications Squadron first sergeant and coordinator of the operation said she is delighted to manage this assignment. The First Sergeant's Council heads up the operation each year for the benefit of military families.

"This is my first time organizing this operation and I'm pleased to be a part of it," Sergeant Shelley added.

For the operation, Christmas trees are set up at the Exchange and Northern Lights Chapel, Sergeant Shelley said.

Hanging from the trees will be small paper angels containing information about a child's wishes for Christmas.

Individuals throughout the base will then be able to take an angel and become an anonymous contributor who can make that child's gift request come true. There will be boxes at the chapel and at the Base Exchange where unwrapped presents can be dropped off.

"This is a great program which will ensure families provide gifts for their children this holiday season," Sergeant Shelley said. "We're hoping to provide them with toys and clothes."

She explained Airmen can solicit their first sergeant in order to be participants of this community service event.

"Airmen will need to fill out a form requesting their children participate in the program to receive a gift or offer to donate presents to those in need," Sergeant Shelley continued. Forms should be submitted to squadron first sergeants by Dec. 10, she said.

The application asks for simple information on a parent's child including a specific gift request and clothing sizes in case any attire is preferred, Sergeant Shelley explained.

"We are requesting that the cost of the desired gift range somewhere between $10 to $25," she said.

The sergeant explained this operation is an excellent way to assist families in offsetting winter bills.

"If families are having a little trouble with finances," said Sergeant Shelley. "Parents will know they'll at least be able to offer their children a gift for the holidays."

She said this operation is especially helpful for single parents and spouses of deployed Airmen.

Master Sgt. James Hayes, 5th Bomb Wing NCO in charge of chapel operations agrees with Sergeant Shelley in that this community event is very beneficial to the families on base. He has been helping out with the operation by providing a storage area for the donated gifts at the Northern Lights Chapel.

"This operation gives back to those in our military community," he said. "Right now I'm happy to be helping out with what I can."

Sergeant Shelley said she is hoping gifts for the children will be wrapped and ready to be handed out to the families by Dec. 13.

"The First Sergeants Council is planning on getting together to start wrapping up the gifts," she said.

Participants will be able to pick up toys at the NLC or coordinate with their first sergeant to arrange a personal pick up or delivery.

Sergeant Shelley said she hopes to have numerous participants by the end of the operation this year. If interested in volunteering to gift wrap or for more information regarding OAT, contact Sergeant Shelley at 723-2151.