Operation Care helps spread Thanksgiving cheer Published Nov. 18, 2005 By 1st Lt. James Madeiros 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- First sergeants here distributed frozen turkeys and other Thanksgiving essentials as this year’s Operation Care program got underway. Funded through Combined Federal Campaign donations, the program provides the makings of a Thanksgiving meal to Eglin people going through hardships. The first of 1,200 people started getting their package of holiday goodies Nov. 15. “The food is for active duty, Guard, reserves and federal employees enduring tough times financially, and who might not otherwise enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal without help,” said Master Sgt. Steven Evans, the 46th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. The operation began when first sergeants gathered information about needy families in each squadron. Then they knew how much they could spend on each box of food. Then, the first sergeants gave the list to the Defense Commissary Agency. Together, they determined what would be best to put in the gift boxes. Once they filled the boxes with food -- and the turkeys added -- they distributed them to the squadrons. Sergeant Evans spearheaded this year’s drive. He said Operation Care has been an Eglin tradition for several years. “The bottom line is that we’re taking care of our own,” Sergeant Evans said. “We’re family. Reaching out to our members and their families during their tough times builds a sense of belonging. “If our troops know they and their families are taken care of, they are able to stay better focused on their Air Force mission,” he said. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)