425th ABS members reach out to local children's hospital Published Nov. 20, 2015 By Tanju Varlikli 425th Air Base Squadron Host Nation Adviser IZMIR AIR STATION, Turkey -- Service members from the 425th Air Base Squadron, along with local national volunteers from the Izmir civilian community, reached out to a local children's hospital Nov. 6. 2015, here. The volunteers handed out classic children's books, coloring books, coloring pencils, crayons and puzzles to more than 150 children who were being treated in the different wards of the hospital like, oncology, pediatric surgery, infectious diseases units and burn units. "The children's hospital visit isn't about the gifts we take, but seeing the [children's] faces light up when you walk in the room and they realize you are there for them," said Traci Williams, 425th ABS youth director. "It's that moment of connection, when you see it on their faces that they appreciate the fact that you have come to visit them." The community prepared for about a week for the outreach that was led by the Izmir chapel, collecting gift items for more than 200 children. Arriving at the children's hospital, visitors were greeted with smiling faces, as they interacted with their guests. When the children opened their gifts, presented by the military members, there was an inexplicable expression on their faces -- a sign of joy that lifted their morale in hard times at the hospital, Williams said.