First sergeants plan annual food drive

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Hanscom’s first sergeants will collect traditional Thanksgiving meal items Nov. 20 outside the Commissary here from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for those military and civilian employees in need.

Distribution will be from 12 noon to 5 p.m., or until gone, at the same location for junior members of the base community.

“The First Sergeant Council is excited to once again lead this important community effort,” said Master Sgt. Timothy M. Sigafoos, a first sergeant and event organizer. “People are the cornerstone of service. To have the opportunity to ease the financial burden for some during the holidays is an effort we look forward to.”

Donations are for any service member who is an E-1 through E-6, Defense Department civilians from GS-1 through GS-9 and all non-appropriated fund (NAF) employees.

Turkeys, hams, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce and pies are some of the food items first sergeants are seeking.

Last year’s effort helped more than 200 Team Hanscom families.

“It brings back memories from being a young airman and the first sergeant came by my house to drop off a turkey and everything needed for a full Thanksgiving dinner,” Sigafoos said. “It's my turn to pay it forward.”

The annual Thanksgiving food collection, known now as Turkey Drop, began in 2009 when Hanscom chief master sergeants organized a “Turkey Give and Take.”

Sigafoos said that while the Turkey Drop’s intent is to help junior employees, the spirit is to help all those in need.

“For those that fall outside the eligible ranks but are in need of help this year, please contact a first sergeant or someone within their chain of command to learn how to be involved,” he said.

Organizers also encourage those who might have difficulty making it to the Commissary parking lot at the allotted times, due to work schedules or other reasons, to contact a first sergeant to make alternate arrangements.

For those interested in making a donation earlier, or for additional information, contact Sigafoos at 781-225-5522 or by email at timothy.sigafoos@us.af.mil.