Christmas comes twice a year to Enid

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Spring cleaning isn't usually associated with Christmas, but for Maj. Dave Lineback, 5th Flying Training Squadron, spring cleaning is a big part of his Christmas plans.
As chairman of the board of directors for Christmas in Action (formerly known as Christmas in April), Major Lineback has a wish list ready for the April 29 all-out, one-day spring cleaning blitz for some members of the elderly, low-income community in Enid.
"We're looking for volunteers as well as donations to help us paint, patch, weatherize, repair and do lawn work on eight selected homes in the Enid community," Major Lineback said. "For those eight homeowners it really will be Christmas time as they receive the gift of volunteers supporting their local community."
The full-time reservist said the homes for this year's project were selected by the Christmas in Action board from more than 30 applicants. The board surveys all applicant homes to verify ownership and income and determine the need to help the owner achieve a more comfortable living situation. These homes are owned mostly by elderly folks with annual incomes ranging from $3,000 to $12,000.
"Last April, more than 300 volunteers participated and more than 3,000 man-hours were donated. Team Vance provided about 50 percent of that volunteered labor, and I'm looking to them to help again this year," Major Lineback said. "Actually, of the homes being worked on this year, half of the house captains come from the Vance family."
The 5th and 32nd FTSs and Computer Sciences Corporation, who have participated the past few years, are being joined this year by Lear Siegler Services as home sponsors. House captains for the Team Vance sponsored homes are Senior Master Sgt. Wayne Andersen (5th FTS), Capt. Mike Kallai (32nd FTS), Jay Merz (CSC) and John Trimmer (LSI).
Last year's volunteers accomplished $33,000 worth of home repairs including rebuilding wheelchair ramps, installing handicap bars, repairing electrical, sewer, water and gas line work, air conditioning and heating repair, water heater replacement, plumbing repair, painting, window and door replacement, caulking and weatherization.
"It may sound like a lot of work, but it's amazing at what can be accomplished with the right skills, organization and most of all, team work," Major Lineback said.
And as is often the case, the givers received as much as the recipients.
"It was a fantastic experience," said Tech Sgt. Ben Dalton, 71st Comptroller Squadron. "Our squadron participated as a group and had a good time building unit camaraderie while helping the local community."
"The house captains are counting on Team Vance members to take a day out of their busy schedules to help our neighbors in need," Major Lineback said. "No special skills are required -- only a desire for some hard work and great rewards. Volunteers get a cool T-shirt, a sack lunch, and, after the project is completed, a cookout at Government Springs Park."
People interested in volunteering, either individually or as an organizational group, can call Sergeant Andersen at 6091, Maj. Darren Siegersma at 6254 or Capt. Mike Kallai at 6483. Volunteers will meet at Government Springs Park in Enid at
8 a.m. April 29.