"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" Proverbs: 11:25
Our President and Founder, Kerre Randel Ortegel, quoted this scripture that bolstered her heart during this Christmas season at our 2022 Annual Military Family Christmas Party held at the US Navy's VR-59 Hangar at the NAS JRB Fort Worth.
This was the 8th year that Holidays and Heroes hosted our annual Christmas party, and it was by far and away the largest endeavor as we serviced 190 junior enlisted military families here at home at the NAS JRB Fort Worth.
This year we called on everyone we knew to rise to the occasion that was placed in front of us. We are proud of the relationships we have built with the leadership on base because they help determine the need, distribute and collect the wishlists, and then we rally together as a community to satisfy every. single. wishlist. without. exception.
Thank you to our corporate sponsors that donated to underwrite our Christmas Party. Thank you to our corporate sponsors and sponsor families that rose to challenge of providing Christmas gifts for every single one of the 190 families that needed assistance this year. We even had a waitlist of families and friends ready to help should another family need assistance. As our organization continues to grow, we know that it is because of our supporters and sponsors that we are truly able to achieve wonderful results.
We kicked off our Christmas Party with a bang! Santa parachuted in via a C-130 provided by the Texas Air National Guard and the parachuters were our friends at the All Veteran Group! Our artwork for this year was inspired by our first Santa drop last year. We can say without a doubt this is one of our favorite new traditions that we started!
We had a short presentation. Our Master of Ceremonies, Jennifer Nickerson, sang the national anthem, then we had speeches from the Base Commander of the NAS JRB CAPT Mark McLean, the Commander of the 301st Fighter Squadron, the Commander of the 136th Airlift Wing, and finally from our fearless leader Kerre Randel Ortegel. Following our presentation there was a hot lunch served to all service members and volunteers.
After lunch, volunteers and service member families could attend Padawan Training from the 5th Garrison Star Wars Regiment, explore the F-35 simulator provided by Lockheed Martin, have their picture taken with Santa, decorate some cookies and play some games.
This year was a resounding success, and it is all thanks to friends like you. Your donations. Your support. Wrangling your company or friends to make a donation or become a sponsor. Sponsoring a family. Volunteering for the many events we have throughout the year. Liking a post on our social media. It all counts and it all builds together to the overwhelming support and success that make Holidays and Heroes thrive.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We are already counting down the days to next year where we can continue to provide the magic of Christmas to our junior enlisted military families at NAS JRB Fort Worth.
