Team Sheppard helps give local-area children a better Christmas

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Once again, Team Sheppard pulled out all the stops to make someone's holiday special with the annual Give a Child a Christmas event Dec. 7.

Hangar 1090 was packed with presents, the Sheppard sponsors who purchased them and the children from Bonham, Sam Houston and Fannin Elementary schools who would receive them.

Tim Powers, Wichita Falls Independent School District assistant supervisor, migrated through the crowds with a small camcorder in hand, capturing the joy and surprise on his students' faces.

"This is just wonderful," Powers said of his second GACAC experience. "Some of these students may not have the luxury of such presents. It's very moving to see the Air Force support us like this."

As usual, some sponsors went above and beyond the suggested $100 donation, splurging on remote controlled toys, dollhouses and even bicycles.

"When he saw his bike, his eyes just lit up," said Staff Sgt. Ebony Knight, one of Fannin student Vernard Trammell's sponsors. "He actually asked for a PlayStation 2, but he didn't complain when he saw that bike."

Vernard, still circling the hangar on his new wheels, only stopped long enough to smile and say the ride was smooth.

Samantha Hicks, a Bonham student who received an array of Bratz merchandise, also expressed gratitude for her gifts.

"I hope I can come back next year," she said.

Those still young enough to believe in Santa Claus let loose a peal of delight when after a chant of "I believe, I believe!" they witnessed Santa's arrival - in a T-37 Tweet.

One child may even have had his belief solidified for all time.

First Lt. Jason Long, sponsor for Sam Houston kindergartner Virgile Blevins, told the story of how Virgile requested a remote control truck, and Lieutenant Long purchased one. When Virgile sat on Santa's lap, he made his request a bit more specific.

"He asked for an orange one," Lieutenant Long said, "which, by total coincidence, is the color we got."

When Virgile opened his appropriately hued gift, just minutes after asking Santa for it, his response was priceless.

"I didn't know Santa worked that fast," Virgile said.

The criteria determining which students get to participate in GACAC is based on letters the students and parents write in applying for a slot. Then each school's administrators pick the students based on greatest financial need. Usually the students chosen come from low-income homes.

The students representing Fannin, however, were picked under far more tragic circumstances. Tanya Vasher, Fannin's coordinator for GACAC, said every student from Fannin was one who'd lost their home in the devastating Texas floods earlier this year.

Regardless of what situation each student came from, they all seemed to enjoy and appreciate the outpouring of best wishes from Sheppard.