107th Airlift Wing airmen deliver truck load of food goods to the Niagara Falls Community Mission. Staff Sgt. Jeanette Valdez, Chief Master Sgt. Virginia Ballester, Andrea Gray, Tech. Sgt. Paul Wiegand, Master Sgt. Mark Lewandowski, Master Sgt. Steven Buja and Staff Sgt, Robert Kurzdorfer on December 18, 2012 (Air National Guard Photo/Senior Master Sgt Ray Lloyd)
107th Airlift Wing airmen deliver truck load of food goods to the Niagara Falls Community Mission. Master Sgt. Mark Lewandowski and Staff Sgt. Jeanette Valdez helping on the delivery on December 18, 2012 (Air National Guard Photo/Senior Master Sgt Ray Lloyd)
by Senior Master Sgt. Ray Lloyd
107th Airlift Wing
12/19/2012 - Niagara Falls, NY -- INTEGRITY FIRST, SERVICE BEFORE SELF AND EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO. The Air Force motto not only applies to our military duty but carries over into all we do. On December 18, 2012, members of the 107th Airlift Wing continued its tradition of serving and supporting the Niagara Community Mission by sponsoring an annual food drive and providing a truckload containing boxes of food, canned goods purchased from their Feed the Family Campaign.
This campaign was held over the past few unit training weekends where members had the opportunity to contribute monetary donations as well as canned goods. These donations were used to feed a family. "This is my fourth year as committee chairman, and although the donations were not as abundant as in past years, we managed to provide help for the mission," said Master Sergeant Steve Buja, Fabrication Element Supervisor.
Unit members along with mission staff unloaded boxes of food, canned goods and stocking up the food pantry. It may not feel like Christmas with the wet rainy weather in Niagara Falls, but you can feel the spirit of the holiday season at the mission. Recognizing the needs of the community, the 107th has been contributing to the Niagara Falls City Mission for more than 18 years.
"This time of year and having the help from the Air National Guard is great." said Andrea Gray, Public Relations & Development Manager for the Community Missions.
"We have doubled the amount of families in need from last year. Having the help from those who protect our nation is a blessing"
Unit members consider their work as rewarding and the true meaning of the holiday season - being able to help out the less fortunate. This is small way of showing appreciation to the local community for the support they give us throughout the year.
"This is my second year and I found it extremely rewarding to see how our unit as a whole is helping the local community in such a great way," said Staff. Sgt. Robert Kurzdorfer, Communication Plans. "Knowing that over 150 families will have meals through this holiday season speaks for itself."
