Operation Open Arms provides smiles to deploying service members

Published Oct. 30, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of Operation Open Arms, a Spangdahlem organization which strives to support deploying Airmen, worked to create community awareness for the program and encourage fellow Sabers to become involved throughout the week of Oct. 20.

Operation Open Arms is a program that lets those who pass through here, or those who depart from here, know that this community cares, said Thomas Smith, American Red Cross station manager. "It's our way of saying 'thanks.' It reflects that the members of this community are a family to all who come here."

The program was devised by Janna Willingham, a Saber Spouse, in March 2006. After her departure a year later the program was continued by Kristin McDonald, spouse of Capt. Coleman McDonald, 22nd Fighter Squadron.

"I was really impressed with this program," Mrs. McDonald said. "I thought that this was a great way of getting involved with the community at Spangdahlem and also it would give me the opportunity to actually thank our service members in person. I believe it is important to not only support troops with our words, but to also support them with our actions; this program does a really great job of allowing us the opportunity to do just that."

The week kicked off with a logo design contest held at the Spangdahlem and Bitburg Middle Schools. The winning logos will be place on items enclosed in the snack bags. An awards recognition ceremony was held to recognize individuals and organizations who have supported the program since its inspection. Volunteers from across the base came together to pack snack bags for distribution to deploying service members. The week's activities wrapped up with a card drive. The new cards placed in the snack bags can be mailed by deployed service members to their loved ones back home while they travel or upon arrival at their destination.

"Operation Open Arms week was not only a celebration of our goal of 10,000 bags, but also a time for me to say thank you to all the people that have done so much to make this program a success," Mrs. McDonald said. "Without the help of the Bitburg commissary, the Spangdahlem Spouses and Enlisted Military Club and the Officers and Civilian Spouses Club, the 726th Air Mobility Squadron, the Red Cross and all the volunteers this program would not exist.

"The number of bags we hand out each month depends on the number of service members that fly through our terminal in a given month," Mrs. McDonald said. "Some months we will hand out as many as 300 and some months we may hand out only 50. It really depends on flight schedules, weather, refueling points - anything that usually effects flying operations. Also, we hand out bags to our own troops deploying from Spangdahlem, as well."

No military financial assistance is provided to Operation Open Arms.

"It has been determined that it is the only program of its kind in USAFE and possibly worldwide being done on a military base totally by volunteers and donated support," Mr. Smith said.

To deliver the snack bags the ARC coordinated with the 726th AMS and the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron for Operation Open Arms to learn when deployers would be traveling through Spangdahlem Air Base.

Donations are welcome by Operation Open Arms. Cash and food donations can be made at the ARC. Snack foods, like beef jerky is a favorite of travelers. Other popular items are pretzels, flavored powders that can be added to water, cookies, cheese and peanut butter crackers and trail mixes.

Volunteers are welcome to assist with bagging projects and to help deliver the snack bags to deploying service members when they depart here for downrange or land at the 726 AMS terminal.

After handing out bags Mrs. McDonald said, "I believe that the smiles on the faces of the troops that we greet are totally worth all the work that we put into the program. Also, getting to work with so many wonderful, caring people on this base is really rewarding for me. I am constantly reminded of how great the people in the Air Force community really are and how willing they are to give their time for others."

To volunteer to be a part of Operation Open Arms, call the ARC at 452- 9440.