Wolf Pack hosts Ilmagwon orphans for Christmas party

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  More than 70 orphans from the Ilmagwon Orphanage were joined by 63 Airmen and Soldiers for a Christmas party here Dec. 3.

With open arms, these Wolf Pack members graciously welcomed the orphans to their home for an afternoon of fun, games, food and presents.

"It was awesome to be able to give back," said Staff Sgt. Eric Hilliard, 8th Maintenance Operations Squadron military training flight instructor. "Spending time with these orphans really makes you appreciate the little things."

The event was sponsored by the base chapel and coordinated by several Airmen from across base. One of these coordinators participates in the weekly visits Kunsan Airmen and Soldiers make to the orphanage at its place in the base's host community of Gunsan City.

"We make weekly trips to the orphanage every Tuesday at 6 p.m.," said Staff Sgt. Robert Webb, 8th Fighter Wing public affairs broadcaster. "The group meets at the SonLight Inn and is then bussed down to the orphanage from there. But for the Christmas Party, the orphans got to come up and see where we work, live, and play and enjoyed a short tour of the base."

After their tour, the children and Wolf Pack members joined together for play time in the fitness center.

"It may not have been a theme park, but it's the simple things in life that makes it all worth the while," said Senior Airman Natasha Ashley, 8th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist. "The thought of knowing I can bring a smile to their faces for just that one moment and seeing the look on their faces when they walked into the gym was the deal maker for me."

"In some respects, we're like their big brothers and sisters," added Staff Sgt. Nornil Villaflores, 8th Medical Support Squadron physical evaluation board liaison officer. "It was very nice being able to share time with those less fortunate than us and give something back to the community."

However, Villaflores said, there was something uniquely different about the Christmas Party than the weekly visits.

"This was a more formal celebration," she said. "After playing with the kids here, I hope people who volunteered for this party go on Tuesdays as well. You get to see and play with the kids in their home."

After roughly an hour of games in the fitness center, the group made their way over to the SonLight Inn where they enjoyed dinner together and opened the presents volunteers had purchased for the orphans they sponsored.

"I feel privileged to have been able to set this up for the children I see every Tuesday," Webb said. "These are children I have gotten to know and care about. An important aspect of our weekly trips affords us time with children who teach us so much about their culture. It is also great for me because it reminds me of being home and playing with my own two sons."

All Wolf Pack members share in a rich heritage of family, a family the orphans are truly a part of.

"What a wonderful outreach to the community," said Ch. (Maj.) Christine Blice-Baum, 8th FW chaplain. "Your involvement showed our AF at its best."

"I hope the kids had just as much fun as I did," Ashley said. "I made a few new friends in the community I'll now see on a weekly basis, mission allowing."

One such community member and director of the Ilmagwon Orphanage had nothing but praises for Kunsan's Airmen and Soldiers.

"We feel very loved," said David Kook Jim Kim. "Thank you for opening your home to us. It was very nice and all the children were very happy today. We look forward to many more events with our Wolf Pack family."

For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, contact the base chapel at 782-4300.