AFRC helps families brighten their Airmen's holiday season

  • Published
  • By Airman Ashley J. Woolridge
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Families of Airmen who are deployed or on a remote assignment were given a chance to experience and spread some holiday cheer at a Holiday Care Package class, Nov. 3.

These families experience a distinct void during the holidays, but the Airman and Family Readiness Center worked hard to help them create memories to sustain them through the months ahead.

Master Sgt. Jennifer Plascencia, AFRC NCO in charge who helped coordinate the class, said this was the first time in the last two years an event like this has been conducted.

"I thought of the idea to do a baking class for the spouses, and the ladies I asked to help me came up with the idea to do a whole care package class," Plascencia said.

Led by three Ellsworth spouses, those in attendance were taught fun and crafty ways to build a care package. A few of the tips included making a cake in a jar and using empty soup cans or chip tubes to hold cookies, candy or other treats. Families were also taught tips and tricks for writing deployed location addresses and completing customs forms.

Cynda Morton, spouse of a deployed Airman, said she and her two children - Joslynn, 4, and Canaan, 2 - came to the class to get ideas for what to send her husband.

"I learned about all of the little stuff that I probably wouldn't have bought at the store, like little puzzles he can do or decorative stuff he can put up in his office," Morton said.

The ins and outs of care packages weren't all that was offered during the class. Families had the chance to mix up cookie dough to be taken home and could also make ornaments for the Capitol Christmas Tree in Pierre, S.D.

"I loved all of the free stuff I got to put inside my box, but I think the cookies are our favorite because my children and I got to do it together," Morton said.

Plascencia, who has experienced a holiday deployment herself, said a care package is one of the biggest morale boosts a deployed member can receive during the holidays.

"My children made some Build-A-Bears with their voices in them, and they sent Christmas decorations and fun stuff like that to me," Plascencia recalled. "We were able to decorate the office, even though it wasn't what we were used to. It's always nice to receive a care package, whether it's during the holidays or not. Just knowing that people care is what really matters."

Plascencia said the AFRC hosts numerous classes for families of Airmen who are deployed or on a remote assignment, and stressed the importance of those spouses providing their information to the center in order to stay informed about upcoming events. She added that she thinks this particular class was a success.

"I didn't see any unhappy faces," Plascencia said. "It gives people a sense of community and allows them to make connections with other people. I think everybody enjoyed it."

Morton, who is dealing with her husband being deployed for the first time, said her experience was rewarding in more ways than one, and that other families should take advantage of everything the AFRC has to offer.

"It let me and my kids get out and do something for my husband - it allowed me to be creative," Morton said. "It's important to know other wives are going through the same thing and holding it together, and maybe I won't go crazy with him being gone for so long."

Plascencia said making a difference in the lives of people like the Morton family is what the AFRC is all about.

"I really enjoy it," Plascencia said. "One of the things we try to do is build a sense of community and give people an opportunity to socialize and meet their neighbors. I like the fact that I can bring people in, and they can make connections and have fun doing it."

For more information on how to donate a care package to a deployed Airman, call the AFRC at (605) 385-4663.