Christman in Action

Sheppard Air Force Base volunteers took on 25 homes during 2012 Christmas in Action, assisting the elderly and disabled in the Wichita Falls area April 28, 2012. Armed with a $700 budget, 17 volunteers and a lot of heart, the 363rd Training Squadron volunteer team built a porch, deck and ramp for one homeowner, saving her an estimated $5,100. The program, celebrating its 29th year, renovated 53 homes with a $95,000 budget in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett, Texas over the weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

Christmas in Action

A team of volunteers from the 363rd Training Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base build a new porch and ramp as part of the Christmas in Action community program designed to help the elderly and disabled in Wichita county, Texas April 28, 2012. The nuclear weapons training instructors have volunteered for three years to support the event. Christmas in Action budgeted $95,000 for 53 home improvement projects in 2012. Sheppard AFB volunteers made up 25 of the 53 teams to renovate homes. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Jason Thompson)

Christmas in Action

Christmas in Action 2012 team captain Jason Thompson (r), a 363rd Training Squadron nuclear weapons training instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base, stands with homeowner, Ms. Thursday, upon completion of a new porch and ramp build April 28, 2012. Sheppard volunteers combined to support 25 of the 53 home renovations for the elderly or disabled in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett, Texas. The event celebrates its 29th anniversary this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

Sheppard puts heart into Christmas in Action

Published May 3, 2012
By Debi Smith
Sheppard Air Force Base Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard Air Force Base volunteers put the 'heart' in to the annual Christmas in Action community program designed to help the elderly and disabled in the area as the program celebrated its 29th anniversary this weekend.

Christmas in Action brings Sheppard AFB volunteers and elderly or disabled homeowners in need of help together once a year each April for a day of painting, hammering, roofing, siding and landscaping.

A total budget based on donations of $95,000 this year meant 53 homes were scheduled for renovation. Sheppard volunteers combined for a total of 25 teams to work on half those projects.

Christmas in Action team captain Jason Thompson, 363rd Training Squadron nuclear weapons course, created nothing short of a miracle for an elderly homeowner April 28. Armed with a $700 budget, 16 volunteers and a "sense of giving back to the community," he led a team to build a porch, deck and ramp for homeowner Ms. Thursday.

"It was an answer to a prayer," Thursday said.

Christmas in Action has become an annual work center project for volunteers of the 363rd Training Squadron. Nuclear weapons training instructors at Sheppard AFB stepped up for the third year to renovate an elderly or disabled person's home.

This year, team captain Jason Thompson's spouse, Leah, brought three Midwestern State University student nursing association friends for a true partnership of base and community volunteerism.

Instructor Mark Maver said it was his first time volunteering for anything like this.

"I would absolutely do it again," Maver said.

With a little preparation work, $700 in lumber and concrete, and the heart of 17 volunteers, the project came in on budget and saved the homeowner $5,100.

For more information on Christmas in Action, go to www.christmasinactionwf.org.