1st SOG family reaches out to deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By Jamie Haig
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The adage "many hands make light work" was demonstrated in full force Sunday at the 16th Special Operations Squadron auditorium when squadron commanders, directors of operations, spouses and children gathered to assemble more than 650 care packages and more than 700 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for deployed Hurlburt Field Airmen. 

In conjunction with the Airman & Family Readiness Center's program, Smiles Across the Miles Program, the 1st Special Operations Group families spent the afternoon packaging boxes that will be sent to Airmen serving in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. 

"We were going to do this at Christmas time," said Tracey Alsid, wife of 1st SOG Commander Mark Alsid. "But we felt an off-time of the year would be better for the Airmen." 

The Smiles Across the Miles program started three-and-a-half years ago. To date, they've made approximately 4,000 care packages for Hurlburt Airmen. 

"When the community asks us what they can do for our troops, I give them the option of donating goods for the care packages," said Tech. Sgt. Diane Thomas, A&FRC. "If they choose a monetary donation, we use those funds to purchase the items for the packages. The troops love receiving the packages and are humbled by the fact that complete strangers have shown kindness and concern for them." 

Books, candy, games and personal hygiene items were among the items packaged into boxes. The packages will be sent out soon on a military transport to deployed locations.
"All of us agree that the best part of each package is the cards," Mrs. Alsid said. 

In each care package is a hand-drawn, handwritten card from children at area schools and churches. Each carries a note of respect, love, prayers, and encouragement for the anonymous Airman. 

"Everyone pulled together because all of our families have been deployed so often," Mrs. Alsid said. "It's just our way of saying thank you." 

Sergeant Thomas added that the A&FRC is always looking for donations for future care packages. 

"We need hard candies, books, little games and movies - anything to occupy their downtime," Sergeant Thomas said. 

For more information on the Smiles Across the Miles Program, call the A&FRC at 884-5441.