Yokota's First Sergeants Council hosts "X-Mas in July"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The First Sergeants Council is hosting a fundraiser at the Yokota Community Center Friday, July 30, to raise money for their Operation Warm Heart fund.

Members from the First Sergeants Council and Eagle 810 will be located on the first floor of the YCC from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. accepting donations for Operation Warm Heart.

"Every dollar that is donated to Operation Warm Heart goes back to the community for Airmen and their family needs, emergency situations, things like that," said Master Sgt. Paul Stansbury, First Sergeant for the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Master Sgt. Mike Worley, First Sergeant for the 36th Airlift Squadron, said the "X-Mas in July" fundraiser is the only time during the year where the First Sergeants Council does a base-wide request for funds.

"This is the only time that we actually go to the community and ask the community to help us, to help them," said Sergeant Worley. "The only other way we receive funds is from the typical church donations during the holidays."

Sergeant Stansbury said he feels that this fundraiser is important to the mission because it supports the families of the Airmen working to get the mission done.

"If there's an issue, us as First Sergeants are able to interact and immediately help out a family in a tough situation so that they can take their mind off of that situation and get it back on completing the mission," said Sergeant Stansbury.

Sergeant Worley said he feels that the fundraiser for Operation Warm Heart supports morale throughout the base.

"We donated $4,000 last year in support of DORM STORM and the Christmas Elf' program , where we give gifts to the single Airmen that live in the dorms," said Sergeant Worley. "We also gave out $8,000 in holiday commissary vouchers last year."

The rest of the money that the First Sergeants Council raises during "X-Mas in July" is reserved for emergency loans and grants for Airmen that are in need.

"X-Mas in July" is not just about donating money to Operation Warm Heart, but according to Sergeant Worley, it is an opportunity for the community to take care of the community.

"We are offering prizes as incentives," said Sergeant Worley. "We have everything from sporting equipment, lady's handbags, and home furnishing devices to travel bags and a Blu-ray player and a 32 inch high-definition TV."