My reason for giving: One Airman's inspiring story

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kait Beck
  • 821st Support Squadron
THULE AIR BASE, Greenland (AFPN) --  Editor's note:  Operation Julemand is an on-going charity drive at Thule Air Base that raises money to purchase Christmas gifts for children in local villages. The men and women at Thule Air Base have been supporting Operation Julemand since its creation in 1959, and in 2007, raised nearly $10,000. People support this charity for a variety of reasons.  Here is one woman's story:

My entire philosophy on life is to live a life of servitude. Life is hard enough as it is, so I believe the only way you are going to make it in this world is by helping others.

The past two Christmases, I was a young Airman with two little boys to support. We were struggling to get by. I barely made enough money to pay the bills, let alone buy Christmas presents. The lowest part of my life came when my ex-husband lost his job and couldn't pay child support. I couldn't even buy groceries.

After a few weeks, I ran out of food and diapers. I had half a tank of gas and knew it wouldn't last the week, so I had no idea how I was going to get to work. I knew I was going to have to do something and I didn't know what. My biggest fear was losing my children.

The next thing I knew there was a knock on my door. It was the wife of a staff sergeant in my squadron. She said they had heard I was struggling and she had brought me groceries!  It was enough to help me get through the month. The next day at work, another NCO from my squadron made me drive to the gas station and filled up my car with gas.  A few days later a master sergeant came in to my office and took me to the base exchange to pick out Christmas gifts for my kids. 

Shortly after that, there were presents on my desk every few days for the boys, along with gift certificates for the commissary.  The best gift was when I came home from work and there was a Christmas tree outside my door. 

You see, the greatest thing in my life is my children. I was at the point were I could not support them any more and was considering putting them up for adoption. I never wanted to give them up, but I knew another family would be able to care for them better than I could. If it had not been for the kindness of others I would have lost my babies, my whole life.

The only thing these givers ever asked for in return was that I someday pass on the favor. They all said they had been there at one point in time and that everyone needs to ask for help sometimes. A year ago I was promoted and we were finally making it. I was no longer struggling to get by and I could start giving back.

For me, Julemand is a way of honoring those that helped me. I figured, if I love my children that much and it hurt so much to think they may not have had a Christmas, there must be others who are in the same position I was. I think no child should ever have to do without, especially at Christmas.

I remember the looks on my children's faces when they woke up Christmas morning to all those wonderful gifts from others, and I can imagine it is the same for all the Julemand recipients. I can imagine the joy those children's parents will experience by seeing the looks on their children's faces, because I was there.

While those kids may not remember 20 years from now what it is they received this Christmas, they will remember the kindness of others. And, just maybe they will pass on the favor by helping someone who needs it someday.

Comment on this story   (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page