Sheppard gives 240 children a Christmas Published Dec. 8, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard hosted more than 240 children from three local elementary schools Dec. 5 during the annual Give a Child a Christmas. Many children were grateful that Sheppard wanted to give them a Christmas. Leslie Alvarado, 11, said she learned that the people at Sheppard care about her. "They're awesome. They... got me just what I wanted," she said, "they didn't care about the money." Leslie said she felt special because people that didn't even know her wanted to give her a merry Christmas. She also said her mom will be able to buy presents for other members of the family because her sponsors gave her what she wanted. "God bless them," she said. The children wrote a wish list for their sponsors and the sponsors bought them presents. The sponsors also spent time with the children doing crafts, seeing Santa Claus and going on the bouncy castle. Scotland Park Elementary Paraprofessional Felecia Suggs said the children appreciate all that their sponsors have done for them. "They are receiving things they wouldn't have received," she said, "It's about knowing we have people willing to give and seeing their (smiling) faces really is something special." Although the event was for the children, it brightened up the holiday for the sponsors involved. "It's a great feeling because I don't know what Christmas is going to be like for them," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Nelson, NCOIC of the 882nd Training Group costumer support center. "They'll never realize what a blessing it was for us." He said he was just grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community. "They can see that we don't just protect the community, we also want to be a part of it," Sergeant Nelson said.