Sub-for-Santa not just for the holidays

  • Published
  • By David R. Hopper
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The Offutt First Sergeant's Council is busy ringing bells at the commissary and Exchange to support their Sub-for-Santa program.

The Sub-For-Santa program is not just a Christmas charity like the name suggests. The year around program is available to Airmen who need financial assistance throughout the year.

"Helping people is the best job in the world, the council is grateful to all who support this cause," said Master Sgt. Charles Puffer, Offutt's First Sergeant Council president.

Ringing bells is only one way the first sergeants collect money for the charity. They also conduct fundraisers throughout the year and TriWest Healthcare Alliance made a donation of $2,000, Dec. 6. One of the fundraisers is a train set raffle.

"For the past 10 years or so the Air Force Weather Agency Top III raffles off a train set built by members of our organization, all volunteers, with materials being donated from various businesses in the community, as well as contributions from AFWA Top III," Puffer said.

The train set can be viewed in the Exchange entry way. Raffle tickets for the train can be purchased from the representative near the train, Saturday and Sunday's, 9 a.m. - closing. All proceeds are donated to the Offutt first sergeants Sub-for-Santa program.

Gratitude for the Sub-for-Santa program is not only expressed by the Airmen who need assistance, senior noncommissioned officers have also praised the program.

"This is a tremendous program sponsored by Offutt first sergeants," said Chief Master Sgt. Glen Cottrell Jr., 55th Maintenance Group superintendent. "Through the generosity of our local military community, Offutt's First Sergeant Council is able to provide a much needed and appreciated monetary donation to some of our junior enlisted members, providing those families with a much happier Christmas holiday."

There are other organizations that assist Airmen in times of need; however, some Airmen find themselves in situations where they do not meet those organizations criteria. This is when the Sub-for-Santa program is utilized.

"Our business is taking care of people and the Sub-for-Santa program allows us to handle business when external helping agency resources have been exhausted," Puffer said.

Those wanting to donate can simply visit a bell ringer at the Offutt Commissary or Exchange Saturday and Sunday's, 9 a.m. - closing.

"Sub-for-Santa is an invaluable program and I would like to say thank you to all of our first sergeants and Top III members for making it happen," Cottrell said. "I also would like to send a huge thank you to all of those who have made donations."

Ticket sales for the train set end Dec. 18 and the drawing is Dec. 19.

Enlisted members, who need assistance, should contact their first sergeant for available options, including the Sub-for -Santa program.