Sheppard members contribute to Operation Kindness Explosion

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Members of Team Sheppard contributed to an operation in Iraq last month in a very specific way - packing boxes to overflowing with school supplies, toys and candy.

Members of the 361st Training Squadron, with the help of the Air Force Sergeants Association, contributed to Operation Kindness Explosion, an initiative at Balad Air Base, Iraq, to bestow gifts to the children of the war-torn country.

Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Deynzer, 361st TRS superintendent, came across an e-mail in late November from Tech. Sgt. David Collins. Sergeant Collins, permanently stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., was deployed to Balad AB at the time.

The e-mail detailed the intent and execution of Operation Kindness Explosion, and Sergeant Deynzer decided to put the call out among people in his squadron.

"I thought it was a great opportunity for folks here at Sheppard to get involved," Sergeant Deynzer said.

With little more than two weeks to collect the donations from the 361st TRS before the Dec. 12 deadline, Sergeant Deynzer still managed to fill several large boxes with toys, clothes, games and 20 pounds of hard candy from the AFSA.

"The response was overwhelming; I didn't expect so many people to chip in. If the deadline weren't so short, I believe we would have had more," he said.

Bases all over the United States have participated in Operation Kindness Explosion.

"I have received about 200 boxes from all over the states," said Sergeant Collins via e-mail. "By showing them that the Americans do care, this had made a big impact to the surrounding communities. [These] daily items ... will make any kid have a smile on their face."

Sergeant Collins went on to state this program has helped more than 350 children.

Military personnel deployed to Iraq, primarily concerned with disarming explosive devices, will also take time to pass out the gifts to the children living nearby.