Airmen help bring Thanksgiving dinner to families Published Nov. 16, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Airmen at this Air Force Global Strike Command base are supporting Whiteman families by helping put together Thanksgiving baskets and plan to distribute them monday. Through the Turkey Basket program, families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it, can have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The base collected canned goods as well as monetary donations from Oct. 28 through Nov. 18. "The program is very important because it gives Airmen the opportunity to take care of each other in a simple way," said 2nd Lt. Jessica Zencey, officer in charge of distribution section, 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It doesn't take a lot to donate a few items before walking out of the commissary," said Lieutenant Zencey. "It's a meaningful way to give back and be helpful." Lieutenant Zencey said with the help of about 20 squadrons and 45 Airman Leadership School students putting the baskets together, they can achieve the same or greater outcome than last year. Some goods available in the baskets are: turkeys, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie filling and pie crusts. Each squadron has a point of contact responsible for putting boxes throughout their squadron to collect canned goods. There is also a big blue bin at the commissary to collect donations as well. Additionally, the ALS students will assemble the baskets. "Last year we raised $3,000 and a total of 210 baskets were given to families," said Lieutenant Zencey. Squadron first sergeants are scheduled to pick the baskets and deliver them to their troops the Friday and Monday before Thanksgiving. Master Sgt. Rob Jackson, 509th Force Support Squadron first sergeant, says the program is about giving thanks to Whiteman families. "It's important to ensure our families are taken care of and remembered during the holidays," he said.