Operation Warmheart brings holiday cheer to KMC

Senior Airman Andrey Antonyuk, 603rd Air and Space Communications Squadron RF transmissions technician, and Senior Airman Jeremy Walkes, 86th Communications Squadron Special Missions Flight Satellite Communications technician, bag a customer’s groceries during a two-day commissary bagging event for Operation Warmheart Nov. 23, 2014 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Operation Warmheart consists of two voluntary events, commissary bagging and the “Ring A Bell” campaign, to raise money going to Airmen and families in need during the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Larissa Greatwood)

Operation Warmheart brings holiday cheer to KMC

Published Nov. 25, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Larissa Greatwood
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- At the commissary here on Nov. 22 and 23, Kaiserslautern Military Community first sergeants held a voluntary commissary bagging event in support of "Operation Warmheart.

Another event, the "Ring A Bell" campaign, will run Saturdays and Sundays for three consecutive weekends beginning Nov. 29 and ending Dec. 14.

"Operation Warmheart is a (program) where all the funds go right back to the KMC," he continued. "The first sergeants purchased $17,500 worth of commissary gift cards to give to Airmen and families in need for Thanksgiving to help pay for their holiday meal.

"The money is for anyone in need," said Master Sgt. David Delgado, 83rd Network Operations Squadron, Detachment 4 first sergeant. "We've provided relief for those who have suffered from fires, active duty deaths or something as simple as not being able to pay an electric bill. It's a very discreet operation done through the first sergeants. It doesn't matter if you're active duty, retired or civilian.

Operation Warmheart does not discriminate on military affiliation or not, it also doesn't matter the person's rank or paycheck. Anyone in need of financial assistance can seek help through first sergeants.

"Sometimes our pride can get in the way, and we don't want to be recognized as needing assistance," said Delgado. "That's why I like the discreet nature of Operation Warmheart. I don't need to know who you are or why you are in your situation; I just need to know if you need assistance."

By donating, people not only help their community in tougher times, but if they end up in a tight budget situation themselves, they can benefit.

"One day, you might be in need," Delgado said. "Operation Warmheart will be there."

One hundred percent of the proceeds from both the commissary-bagging event and the "Ring A Bell" campaign go to KMC Airmen and families. Last year's "Ring A Bell Event" raised $16,000 for the community.

For more information or to volunteer for the "Ring A Bell" campaign, call DSN at 479-2317 or commercially at 06371-46-2317.