Heroes for all seasons honored

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Janet Haliburton
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Airmen were honored for their volunteer contributions to the community at a luncheon Jan. 30. 

Members of Luke Top Three, Focus 56, Luke Empowering Airmen's Decisions, the 61st and 308th Aircraft Maintenance Units, and the base exchange and dry cleaners were recognized by Parenting Arizona for their efforts and support during the Holiday Hero's gift drive. 

Parenting Arizona, a non-profit organization, serves families in need through education, family resource centers, in-home support services, school based services, mentoring and child abuse prevention councils. 

"Luke members collected an incredible $20,000 in cash and gift donations for the program," said Master Sgt. Renee Miller, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Production superintendent. "This ensured gifts for more than 1,500 youth in Maricopa County and couldn't have been possible without our Thunderbolts and our retiree community." 

The Holiday Hero's gift drive and Special Friends Mentoring programs are specifically designed to help children who live in foster care, group homes and shelters. 

The Special Friends Mentoring program provides a dedicated mentor who can offer children stability and help them better their lives, according to Eileen Roberts, Parenting Arizona volunteer coordinator. 

Julie Rosen, Parenting Arizona executive director expressed her gratitude to the Luke volunteers and explained how there is a tremendous need for these programs in our community. 

"We couldn't be more grateful for the donations from Luke," Ms. Rosen said. "Your role had a huge impact. Every day we would get a truck load of presents or a pocket full of gift cards from Luke." 

Every year it's a struggle to get gifts for the program and this season, according to Ms. Rosen. They were worried that the Holiday Hero gift drive wouldn't happen. 

"But, with the tremendous support from the Luke community we received an abundance of donations, and for the first time ever we ended with $4,000 in the bank for next year which is significant," she said. 

Ms. Rosen emphasized the distinction between the Holiday Hero's and Special Friends Mentoring programs; and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Toys for Tots programs. 

"The children we service are in CPS custody, foster homes or group homes," she said. "It's a very sad place to live. Our programs deal with prevention of child abuse." 

Luke's involvement with the program began with a call from Marine Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Scott Frye, Parenting Arizona volunteer, who contacted Chief Mitchell Stippel, 56th Fighter Wing command chief, requesting assistance with the Holiday Hero's gift drive because they had lost their sponsor. 

"It's heartening to see that although we are at war, so many young Airmen carved out time to help kids in need who don't have parents," Mr. Frye said. 

The Special Friends Mentoring program has more than 60 members from the base that are current mentors. 

To participate in the Parenting Arizona Special Friends Mentoring program or for more information, call Eileen Roberts at (602) 248-0428, or e-mail eileen.roberts@parentingaz.org.