USTRANSCOM, SDDC workers keep holiday spirit alive

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – The holidays are once again merely memories, but the kindness and holiday cheer spread by a group of U.S. Transportation Command and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command workers will last much longer.

Each year since 2004, a team of USTRANSCOM and SDDC contractors, civilians and their family members participate in “The Spirit of Christmas” and adopt two families in the local area to help provide them much needed food, clothing, household items and gifts for Christmas.

According to Bill Howard, a contractor for USTRANSCOM and organizer of the event, “The Spirit of Christmas” has helped more than 20 families located throughout St. Theresa’s parish in Belleville have a better holiday thanks to the generosity of people and a local business.

“This was an exceptional year for the Spirit of Christmas,” Howard said.  “We had a record number of volunteers and everyone pitched in to help both families.  In addition to gifts, some of the volunteers are helping the unemployed single mother in one of the families secure a job."

“It is so rewarding to see the genuine concern our volunteers have for these families,” Howard continued.  “Once again Weekends Only (a furniture store), in Fairview Heights, responded to our needs.  They provided furniture and bedding for a family that had nothing at all. This was the eighth year the store has participated in ‘The Spirit of Christmas.’”

The program is not sponsored by any military organization and the team provides donated items based on a wish list submitted by the sponsored families.

“Each year this effort continues to grow,” Howard said.  “We are already looking forward to 2014.”

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