Charlotte Air National Guard Base, NC -- The North Carolina Air National Guard is bringing in the holiday spirit with Thomasboro Academy Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C. by kicking off the start of the annual Operation Santa Claus coordinated by the Chapter 7 organization.
Each year the Chapter 7 organization decides on a school or place to support during the holiday
season.
“We reached out to the principal and they were very excited to hear about what we were available to do in order to help support them,” stated MSgt. Erik A. Maiers, 145th Airlift Wing Aircraft Fuel Systems Supervisor.
This year, Chapter 7 put up an “Angel Tree” in our Headquarters Building ornamented with numbers that correspond to each student. Airmen pull numbers from the tree and information such as clothing sizes and gifts of choice are listed on the paper.
“We ask our folks to come out and adopt an angel and buy gifts that would give them a Christmas that they probably wouldn’t be able to have otherwise,” explained MSgt. Maiers. “We’ve got 23 families and about 43 students this year.”
Chapter 7 is going the extra mile this year by also providing food boxes to the students and their families. $100 worth of food is going to be in each box which will contain nonperishables and some holiday food items.
“Some children depend on going to school to get fed so maybe we can treat them with something extra during the holiday season while they’re home on break for a couple of weeks,” added MSgt. Maiers.
They have already rallied support from different Airmen and the Chiefs Counsel is donating $1,500 to Chapter 7’s Operation Santa Claus to help purchase those food items.
“This opportunity is great, I feel like we’re blessed,” said MSgt. Maiers.”It’s always nice to be able to give to other kids that are less fortunate.”
*Chapter 7 is currently partnering with the principal of Thomasboro Academy to figure out the most Covid-friendly
way to conduct the Operation Santa Claus Celebration and will have more information soon.*