Airmen donate medical equipment to Bulgarian hospital

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Erik Hofmeyer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve Base recently raised $2,800 to purchase a new cardiac monitor for the children's ward at local hospital during a deployment to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria.

Reservists from the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed with 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons to train with Bulgarian air force MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighter jets, but also made a lasting contribution to the people of Bulgaria.

The plan came to mind when Chaplain (Maj.) Vincent Cummings, a 482nd FW chaplain, noticed a history of altruism from photos that adorned the walls of the Bulgarian air base.

"Airmen had always done something special for the people of Bulgaria," the chaplain said. "Our predecessors volunteered at orphanages, performed community service and purchased gifts and valued items for children." 

The chaplain received the green light to coordinate an effort to make a contribution to the community, and met with the commanding officer of Graf Ignatievo AB. The commander suggested giving to the children's ward at a local hospital in nearby Plovdiv, the nation's second largest city.

Chaplain Cummings teamed with Senior Master Sgt. Honey Lane, the 93rd Fighter Squadron first sergeant and Tech. Sgt. Errol Johnson, a 93rd FS aerospace medical technician, for their medical insight. The team then began fundraising.

"Everybody pitched in and we raised $1,800 after the first day, and a total of $2,800 was donated over a two-day period," Chaplain Cummings said.

Once the team had an idea of what they could afford to donate, they meet with hospital staff to find out what they could purchase with the donations.

"We received a tour of the children's ward, and asked what we could purchase with the funds we raised," he said. "The hospital staff recommended the pulse oximeter."

The presentation of the cardiac monitor was made in a farewell ceremony at a public arena in Plavdiv in front of Bulgarian air force members, local politicians and residents of the city.

"The Airmen of the 482nd Fighter Wing really stepped up to meet a human need. This was truly a team effort," the chaplain said.

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