917th Wing family participates in Santas in Blues

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Class Crystal Marie Jordan
  • 917 Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --  The 917th Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., participated in Santas in Blues this year, which is a base-sponsored program designed to bring Christmas to underprivileged foster children in the Caddo, Bossier, Webster and De Soto parishes.

Numerous units and organizations on Barksdale, including the 917th WG, in conjunction with local community businesses sponsored foster children from birth to age 17.

Children were sponsored by Barksdale Airmen volunteering in their "blues" uniform, and presented gifts at one of the program sponsored Christmas parties.

The teen party took place at the Hot Wheels Skating Rink December 19 from 9 am to noon for children ages 13 to 17, where the teens received 50-dollar gift cards from the Santas in Blues program.

The children's party kicked off at the Bossier Civic Center December 19 at 1130 am for children birth to age 12, where the children received three gifts from Santa. Bikes, dolls and action figures were handed out with a smile and received with excitement.

Both parties were decorated with holiday cheer in anticipation of the guests' arrival. Pizzas, drinks and snacks were also provided for the foster children and their families.

"Every penny raised goes directly to the children," assured Master Sgt. Rachell Wood, the Santas in Blues point of contact for the 917th WG. "Money raised goes directly into the buying of gifts and the funding of the parties."

The 917th WG began the donation and preparation process with a goal of $2,000 and was assigned to sponsor 38 children, but the Airmen of the 917th WG had another thing planned.

The generosity of those who gave brought the final amount donated to a whopping $6,243.03. This allowed the 917th WG to "absorb" the responsibility of sponsoring 14 more foster children, said Sergeant Wood.

The 917th WG looked deep into their hearts and reached deep into their wallets to sponsor more than 50 children with holiday gifts this year, raising more money than any other solitary unit on Barksdale.