Barksdale Profile: Santas in Blue
By: Leslie Draffin
Updated: December 28, 2011
They're not dressed in red and green, but these airmen are certainly Santa's helpers.
"Seeing a little kid happy, it just
lifts your spirits. You can't be in a bad mood when you see that," say
volunteers.
For the last 20 years Barksdale
Airmen, their families and the entire community have given Christmas presents to
local children in foster care.
"I think it's important because these
kids might not get a Christmas if we don't do this."
The program, called Santas in Blue,
lets Airmen give back to the surrounding community, "it's been a great event.
We want to continue having success with it, we like to give back to Caddo and
Bossier Parishes because all year long they support us so we wanna make sure we
support them as well," says MSgt. Will Dominy.
Volunteers with Santas in Blue collect
money through donations, then shop, buy and wrap hundreds of gifts for kids in
the ArkLaTex.
Tech Sgt Rosalynn Davis, who's a
mother of three, says the program lets her kids see the important of giving
back. Her oldest daughter has even volunteered
to help hand out gifts. "It helps her think outside the box, think beyond
herself and about what's going on in the world," Davis says.
The group runs completely off
donations and community support.
