Vance helps youth during season of giving

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Thankful faces greeted the Team Vance members who helped underprivileged children shop for loved ones' gifts at the Enid YWCA Saturday.
More than 20 Vance Air Force Base volunteers led the children around tables full of donated items they could purchase, rang up their totals and wrapped the gifts.
The base supplied two carloads of donated gifts along with the helping hands. Although children paid for the items, the most expensive gift was about $2.
Two dollars was all one customer had to spend, said Master Sgt. George Peoples, 71st Comptroller Squadron and event volunteer.
"She had eight family members to buy presents for, and she was really concerned about not having enough money to get something for everyone," he said. "I told her not to worry about the cost it will all be taken care of. Later that day, I saw her mother and I told her mother what a sweet girl her daughter was."
Sergeant Peoples said he enjoyed helping the children.
"The holidays are typically a time to reflect on family and giving. Seeing the joy in the children's eyes made it really nice knowing that I helped in their happiness this holiday season," he said.
All Team Vance members who volunteered during the event were touched as they helped more than 240 children in the local community shop for and wrap presents for their families, said Master Sgt. John Yun, 71st Medical Group.
"The volunteers felt good about helping and giving back to the local community," he said, "especially from seeing the smiling faces of those children who were purchasing the gifts with the allowances they have saved. Furthermore, they felt the city of Enid is always supporting Team Vance and that it was our turn to provide assistance to the community."
Team Vance also had the opportunity to make the holidays complete for children at the YWCA Thursday. Volunteers helped at the center's party, which offered gifts and pizza to those who had so selflessly given to their loved ones.