Grissom helps spread holiday cheer by giving

Published Dec. 13, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Grissom Airmen and their families are known to put service before self, but sometimes the service gets a chance to give back.

And, that's just what the 434th Air Refueling Wing did, spearheaded by Jill Marconi, Grissom Airman and Family Readiness director, who recently headed a fundraiser that led to the donation of five decorated Christmas trees.

"We knew that we had several families who didn't have much, so what we decided to do was take up a collection within the (Family Readiness) building to raise money for trees," explained Marconi.

Word about the trees quickly spread, and soon a plan was devised to have different groups around base participate by turning efforts into a base-wide Christmas tree decorating contest.

Marconi said she was able to get 434 ARW staff, 434th Operations Group, 434th Maintenance Group, 434th Mission Support Group and the Grissom Rising Six to each participate in the contest, decorating a total of five trees.

Civilian and military members were encouraged to participate in the decorating contest by bringing in decorations and the trees were donated anonymously, said Marconi. Donations were accepted all the way until Saturday morning of the December unit training assembly.

The trees were then decorated by their respective organizations during the base holiday party, and children in attendance voted on their favorite.

Lt. Col. Greg Demaio, 434th ARW processing manager, said he and his family, who helped gather ornaments and decorated the 434th ARW staff tree, were moved by not only the atmosphere created by all the garland and lights, but also by the willingness of everyone to give.

"It really put me in the Christmas spirit," said Demaio. "At first I didn't know if anyone would come through, but when it came time everyone really stepped up."

Toward the end of the party in Dock 1, the lights dimmed revealing five fully-decorated trees, and an announcement was made that the 434th MXG had won the contest.

But, at that point the focus was no longer on the contest, said Marconi.

"The whole concept of the event was to bring people together, and we did that," she added.

Following the party, the trees were donated to select military families.

Grissom is also home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Grissom helps spread holiday cheer by giving

Public Affairs Staff