Operation Christmas Drop nearing its main event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nichelle Griffiths
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ADERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- As the holidays quickly approach and the fundraisers wind down, Andersen prepares for Operation Christmas Drop's Box-Build, Push Ceremony and the main event, Operation Christmas Drop.

After 56 years running, Christmas Drop is the Air Force's longest running humanitarian airlift mission. The organization's goal for the 2008 operation is to airdrop 200 boxes to more than 35,000 people living in the outer reaches of the Micronesian Islands.

The Operation Christmas Drop organization began its fundraisers early this year with a golf tournament in late August.

"The goal of starting the fundraisers earlier this year was to help get much needed funds to startup the operation and to purchase supplies for those in need," said Staff Sgt. Jamie Powell, 36th Communication Squadron system administrator. After hours, Sergeant Powell is the Christmas Drop's publicity committee chairman.

Several organizations helped contribute to Operation Christmas Drop including the Guam Naval Officers' Spouses Connection who held a Christmas Street Craft Fair Nov.1 at the Top O' the Mar.

Through military and local community support, Operation Christmas Drop organization has collected 19,000 donated items raised more than $2,000 through fundraisers since they began in August.

Additionally, sponsors have contributed more than $12,000, including a $9,000 donation by Andersen's chapel, said Capt. Adam Rector, the vice president of the organization.

"It's inspiring to see the level of generosity this island has in donating supplies to people they don't even know," said Captain Rector, who is Andersen's Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century process manager.

The goal was to obtain supplies such as fishing gear, toys, textbooks, clothing, tools, and snorkeling equipment that will be air dropped by the Air Force to communities in the remote islands of Micronesia.

"The islands we are dropping to are completely remote," said Captain Rector. "These remote islands have little to no outside contact and supplies, other than what Operation Christmas Drop provides."

After the fundraisers are over and all donations are collected the organization holds a "box-build" where volunteers package the donated items into boxes capped with parachutes. During a "push ceremony" representatives from the local community and members from Team Andersen load the boxes onto the airlift aircraft.

This years' push ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 12 and air drop is scheduled for Dec. 15-19. 

Donations are being accepted until the first week in December. People who wish to donate can give items such as new or serviceable clothes, fishing and snorkeling equipment, non-battery operated toys, non-perishable foods, and other items at collection points across the island. Information on off-base collection points may be found at www.christmasdrop.com.

Collection points on Andersen are located at the commissary, the base exchange, and the 734th Air Mobility Squadron. The operation will be accepting donations through the first week of December.

Operation Christmas Drop is a non-profit organization powered by volunteers from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, that have to date dropped over 800,000 pounds of goods throughout the islands.