CGOs, Sheppard provides early Christmas for Wichita Falls ISD elementary students

  • Published
  • By Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The holiday season for most people is a time of joy and excitement; a time of trees covered in lights and presents on Christmas morning.

Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky and Sheppard has gone out of its way to change that for some local children.

Sheppard held its 10th Annual Give a Child a Christmas event Dec. 8, and what was once an aircraft hangar for training Airmen became a massive Christmas shop full of games, gifts and, more importantly, goodwill.

This year's event hosted more than 230 children from three local schools who, thanks to numerous sponsors from across Sheppard, were given gifts and shown a fun-filled day.
"(It's nice) to help out a child that isn't able to have something like this and make their Christmas the best it can be," said 2nd Lt. Spencer Wartman, a student-pilot currently assigned to the 80th Operations Support Squadron.

Aside from the gifts, there were areas for children to get their faces painted, make holiday greeting cards and play games with their new-found friends. Children were also treated to lunch and a visit from Santa Claus, who arrived in a T-37, in-lieu of his more cumbersome reindeer and sled.

"It's fun," said Ralph Stewart from Bonham Elementary School. "Because it's all about Christmas and Santa Clause."

Santa was also a hit with 11-year-old Harley Inman, who said she really enjoyed his plane.

Sponsors could give to a child as a group, or on their own, but no matter what, it was for a good cause.

"There are so many people out there that are less fortunate," said Master Sgt. Sherry Callahan, F-15 career development course writer with the 362nd Training Squadron. "It shows the military is considerate and that we take care at home and abroad."

The Wichita Falls Independent School District identifies children from Fannin, Bonham and Sam Houston Elementary schools who are underprivileged and might not have presents under a tree. Individuals and groups of people from Sheppard sponsor a child, purchasing gifts to ranging from bikes to remote control cars to footballs and doll houses.

Traditionally there is a $75 limit on purchases, but the giving spirit of Team Sheppard surpasses all monetary constraints.