Sheppard delivers Christmas in Action 2011

Melissa Guillory, a member of the 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron and first time Christmas in Action team captain, reviews the progress list for a home project that needed paint, siding and door replacement in Wichita Falls, Texas April 30. Ms. Guillory’s ‘CE Team’ included 27 volunteers from five units across base. Sheppard volunteers managed 37 of the 45 homes selected for this year's event. The volunteer project came in under budget at $445, saving the homeowner $9,000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

Sheppard delivers Christmas in Action 2011

Tech. Sgt. Allen Young, 366th Training Squadron Electrical Section Chief aims high while Staff Sgt. Josh Mahan, 82 Contracting Squadron, secures siding for a Christmas in Action home in Wichita Falls, Texas April 30. Both sergeants have volunteered for several years as a way to give back to the community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

Sheppard delivers Christmas in Action 2011

Staff Sgt. Liz Tyburski, 82nd Mission Support Group, and Hirschi High School junior reserve officer training corps cadet Garrett Swalwell paint the front of a home during Christmas in Action 2011. For three years Sergeant Tyburski has helped the elderly and disabled with home improvements. The $445 painting, woodwork and siding project would have cost almost $9,000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

Sheppard delivers Christmas in Action 2011

Published May 4, 2011
By Debi Smith
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE,Texas -- The spirit of community came out in full force as Sheppard volunteers spread out across Wichita Falls, Texas for the 28th annual Christmas in Action program April 30. The event brings "Christmas" to low-income senior and disabled homeowners the last Saturday of April. Each year volunteers do necessary repairs the elderly and disabled can't afford on a fixed income.

Air Force retired Mark Masman is the organization's executive director. His leadership, can-do attitude and personality have enlisted community-wide support of the program while extending his military community an opportunity to aid the local elderly community.
Since 1983, Christmas in Action reports show that 2,570 homes have been repaired by 47,000 volunteers with the market value of repairs exceeding $17 million.

Sheppard personnel make up the vast majority of volunteers. This year, 45 homes were selected for repair and Sheppard teams took on 37 of them.

Melissa Guillory, a member of the 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron, accepted a home project that needed painting, siding and door replacement. Ms. Guillory's 'CE Team' included 27 volunteers from five units across base.

This was Ms. Guillory's first year as team captain although she's volunteered the past three years.

"My husband has always been a team captain, but since he's deployed, I couldn't let the family tradition down so I stepped up," she said. "I wanted to keep the tradition of the base holding hands with the community and I got such a tremendous response when I put the word out for volunteers. Everybody from the base community comes together when it's time to help the local community."

Ms. Guillory's team project total came in under budget at $445, took less than ten hours to complete and saved the homeowner $9,000 in market value repairs.

Homeowner Louella Johnson said she could never have realized the repairs on her own, "It is all such a blessing," she said. "I can't believe how wonderful everyone is and I am so very thankful for all of this."

Christmas in Action has won the Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence and volunteers are needed all year. The organization can be reached at (940) 696-9393.