The ‘Lik’ helps combat deployed Airmen’s holiday blues

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Lipscomb
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Many Incirlik Airmen deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism may soon find themselves recipients of a care package courtesy of the 39th Air Base Wing via the Adopt an Airman program.

Rachael Hollingsworth, Adopt an Airman Program organizer, came up with the idea to liberate Team Incirlik's deployed Airmen from the holiday blues.

"I thought that this would be a good opportunity to bring members of the base together to help those who are deployed during the holidays," said Mrs. Hollingsworth. "I've learned from my husband's deployments that letters and packages are a valuable source of strength for those who are deployed."

To implement the program, Mrs. Hollingsworth contacted Jodie Parker, Airman and Family Readiness Center Community Readiness consultant for assistance.

"This has been so easy with the help of Jodie," said Mrs. Hollingsworth. "I just came to her with the idea and she put together a list with the names of all the Airmen deployed from Incirlik."

Unit Deployment Managers also played a key role in obtaining the information needed to provide Incirlik's deployed warfighters with care packages.

"With the help of the UDMs gathering the names and addresses of all Incirlik deployed members, we were able get more than 70 Airmen on our list for packages," said Ms. Parker.

After gathering the names and addresses, all Mrs. Hollingsworth needed was volunteers to put together packages.

"Within two hours of asking for volunteers at the Base Exchange, we almost had enough sponsors for every deployed Airman on the list," said Mrs. Hollingsworth

The AFRC has put together list for those who would like to donate a package. Items deployed members have asked for in the past include handheld games, baby powder, wipes, chapstick, bug repellent, beef jerky and peanut M&M's.

"It is important that we keep deployed Airmen in our thoughts, especially during the holidays, and what better way then to send them a letter, package or card?" said Ms. Parker.

Anyone interested in receiving information on sending a package to one of Incirlik's deployed Airmen can visit the AFRC or call 676-6755.