Making a difference where ever they go Published May 11, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria -- Spangdahlem and Bulgarian Airmen traveled to the Yambol Children's Home to spruce up the home to orphaned children ranging from a few days to six years old April 27, 2009. "As Airmen whereever we go, we are U.S. ambassadors and when we went to Bulgaria it was no different," said Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Wingett, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "We had planned to do something before we even left Spangdahlem, so once we got there it was just a matter of finding what we could do." Historically when a U.S. Air Force unit is on a temporary duty assignment in Bulgaria they adopt an orphanage, hospital or project. By doing this the Airmen show themselves as they truly are generous people, said Col. David Wilmot, U.S. Defense and Air Attaché to Bulgaria. Everybody realizes this is not just a military-to-military relationship, he said. Sergeant Wingett and his fellow Airmen researched the area before deciding where they felt they could make the most impact. "When we went to the children's home and saw how much work needed to be done, it was (an) easy (decision to help)," Sergeant Wingett said. When the sign-up sheets were posted, more than 100 U.S. and Bulgarian Airmen volunteered to assist with the project. "The goal was simple -- just a group of professional Airmen wanting to leave a place better with we found it, and in looking at the photos, it's easy to see we did just that," Sergeant Wingett said. The volunteers spent five hours doing yard work and painting. "When we first looked around we were worried we would not get it all done, but once we got started everyone worked together as a team and knocked it out," Sergeant Wingett said. In addition to sprucing up the outside of the home, the Airmen donated supplies. "We took up a collection and raised more than $1,300 and we bought more than 2,000 diapers, baby wipes and almost 200 pounds of fresh fruit for the children," Sergeant Wingett said. There were 75 children living in the home at the time of the Airmen's visit. "The chance to help out another person is a great feeling," Sergeant Wingett said. "The director was very happy to see such a large work force show up and help clean up the orphanage. The kids loved interacting with us -- they even helped by raking their play area as we cleaned nearby. When we left at the end of the day the director was in tears, so happy we had come and made a difference." The efforts of the U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces is something that Colonel Wilmot said he believes greatly impacts the children and care takers' lives. "It really fills your heart when you see the young Airmen do this and take to it," Colonel Wilmot said. "It makes a big difference to the Bulgarians."