Wolf Pack members open their hearts for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Gustavo Gonzalez
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Wolf Pack members opened their hearts and their wallets to give to Kunsan's Warm Hearts Program. 

The Warm Hearts Program is a non-profit program run by the First Sergeants Council that is designed to help out Kunsan Airmen with families in need of financial help during the holiday season. 

"The non-profit organizations on base got together and wanted to help out our Airmen who need a little extra help around this holiday season," said Capt. Christina Daluz, 8th Fighter Wing Safety Office. "We are going to buy them gift cards and then send the gift cards home to their families. We give them a little extra help to buy presents and things like that." 

Master Sgt. Ronald Ridge, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, believes this program is one of the most important programs anybody can be a part of. 

"The Warm Heart Program has always been one of those programs that is geared towards those less fortunate amongst our base population," he said "Sometimes families don't have enough money to provide some of those niceties that we all sometimes take for granted and that's what warm heart helps provide." 

According to Sergeant Ridge, what makes the Warm Hearts Program special is the fact that all of the money raised goes back to Kunsan Airmen and their families back home. 

"If you could think back to a time when you were less fortunate or didn't really have the money to do all that you wanted to with your family, then this is something that you could put your effort into and get behind," he said. "This does go directly back to our base populous and those that we work with everyday so support it and get behind it and help out whenever you can." 

More than 72 volunteers from all organizations on base came out in support for this program, with many volunteers working shifts at the main exchange to collect donations. The volunteers raised more than $3,900 dollars this holiday season. The recipients are identified within the squadrons and not publicly identified. 

"The first sergeants are the one who will determine who is qualified," said Captain Daluz. "The first sergeants are pretty aware of what's going on with their Airmen." 

For Sergeant Ridge, the reward from his involvement in the program comes from being able to directly provide and Airman and his or her family the means to have a happy holiday season.

"It's nice to be able to give a family a full turkey dinner for thanksgiving or a full turkey dinner and gifts during Christmas time," he said. "It's definitely a wonderful thing."