Dover community supports families of the fallen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Michael Gibson
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations
Dover Air Force Base, Del. --  Volunteers from the USO, Friends of the Fallen and Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations partnered together to conduct a food and gift card drive for the Campus for the Families of the Fallen at the Dover Air Force Base Commissary Sept. 19.

Approximately 32 volunteers participated in the event, which raised $2,952.15 in food and gift card donations from commissary patrons, according to Wendy Fish, USO representative.

"There are so many people in the Dover community who want to help the families of our fallen service members," said Fish. "The food drive allowed them an opportunity to do this."

All of the donations go directly to the Campus for the Families of the Fallen, according to Kim Landis, Friends of the Fallen president.

"It is surprising how often we hear 'thank you' from the families," said Landis. "We wouldn't be able to do this without the community backing us up."

Many of the donations will allow the families to have items they need after they travelling all day from their respective hometowns.

"This was a great event," said Master Sgt. Donald Cleveland, AFMAO port mortuary superintendent. "I've seen firsthand how appreciative the families are by having food and other items they need already in the Fisher House after they have just traveled from abroad."

Volunteers put together different themed bags which shoppers could purchase and then donate to one of the volunteers. The themes included comfort, children, health and snack bags. Each bag had a list attached to it displaying its contents and price to the shoppers.

"The pre-packaged bags made it very easy for the consumers and volunteers to accomplish the event," said Cleveland.

The bags were able to be scanned as one item increasing the efficiency of the process. Once a bag was purchased, its contents were sorted and brought to the Fisher House to be logged and stored.

"It was amazing to see the teamwork of everyone working together to receive, log and ensure all the food was ready for the families the same day," said Cleveland.