Team Kadena spreads holiday cheer throughout local communities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Hundreds of Kadena volunteers helped spread holiday cheer to local residents over the past several weeks.

Airmen and their family members donated hundreds of gifts, many pounds of food supplies and hours of their time to support various Okinawan organizations throughout the holiday season.

Approximately 20 Airmen attending Airmen Leadership School volunteered a few hours of their time to help clean the grounds of Okinawa's only zoo, the Okinawa Children's Zoo.

More than 15 volunteers from the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron volunteered to clean up more than 800 pounds of trash and drainage waste at the Ie Island elderly home Dec. 12.

"I feel it is very important to show the local community how much the military community cares for Okinawa," said Senior Master Sgt. Roy Cline, 18th EMS lead production superintendent. "This is an awesome island and a great place to live. The Okinawans are a kind and wonderful people and giving back to them is a small way for us to say thanks for letting the 18th Wing fly, flight and win from their island."

Volunteers from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron brightened up the holidays for 90 children at Ishimine Children's Home in Naha Dec. 5. More than 30 volunteers handed out gifts to all the children and donated new soccer and volleyball equipment for the home.

Another 25 volunteers from the 18th LRS volunteered to help clean up an elderly home on Ie Island Dec. 22. In addition to cleaning up the grounds around the compound, the group also donated 70 gifts to the senior citizens at the home.

"We presented 40 leg blankets and then handed out 30 gift boxes to the elderly," explained Lt. Col. Douglas Dickerson, 18th LRS commander. "Our relationships with the Ishimine Children's Home and Ie Island Elderly Home demonstrate to Okinawans that the United States is a positive influence in the community and we also provide help to the needy who may otherwise not receive it."

For Staff Sgt. David Sanders, last month was the perfect time to don a Santa Claus suit, share a little bit of American culture, and bring smiles to hundreds of children at holiday friendship party at the Yomitan Social Welfare Center Dec. 19.

Sergeant Sanders and several other volunteers handed out more than 150 presents and clothing donations collected from several base organizations including the 18th Medical Group, Professional Military Education Booster Club, Navy Seabees, and other private organizations. Volunteers also donated several cakes for the party and danced with the children and families.

"Getting involved in this event was pure luck," Sergeant Sanders explained. "I was taking used clothes donations to an off base home for mentally handicapped children and met the woman who told me about this annual Christmas party."

When Sergeant Sanders heard that the home had not had gifts for the children for several years, he knew he had to do something.

"Having kids of my own, I couldn't let some very special children not have a real Christmas," he said. "I just wanted to do something for the Okinawan community and this was an awesome place to do that."