A Spirit of Giving Published Dec. 18, 2008 By Col. Steven Harrison 436th Airlift Wing Commander DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Happy Holidays Team Dover! What a wonderful time of year, full of familiar sights and sounds that seem to bring people together and kindle a spirit of giving. Some of the more familiar sounds of the holiday season are Christmas carolers and the Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells. Those ringing bells have become a symbol of the generosity of the American people and, for me, a reminder of the generous nature of Team Dover. Earlier in the year, The Salvation Army presented Team Dover with the "Others" award, one of the most prestigious awards this national organization offers, and the first time it has been offered to a group. When they found themselves short of bell ringers last Christmas, and in danger of being unable to provide for needy families, the Salvation Army called Dover AFB. In a single day, Technical Sergeant Jennifer Holton gathered 168 Team Dover volunteers to ring bells at the red kettles around Dover, helping the Salvation Army raise more than $9,000. Fortunately, my job affords me the opportunity to see firsthand that spirit of giving in Airmen throughout Dover. The most remarkable aspect of your generosity is that it does not recognize the boundaries of any one season. For example, I recently attended a special recognition reception in Washington DC hosted by Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG) and attended by leaders of dozens of America's leading companies. Team Dover was presented an award for your contribution toward the goal of creating an America without dropouts. Partly due to the volunteer work and mentorship of our Airmen, JAG was able to specifically target the most at-risk high school students in Delaware and across the nation, raising their graduation rate to 94 percent. Notably, Dover was the only military organization in the Nation recognized. There's more. Recently, the 3rd Airlift Squadron took a weekend trip to Brooklyn, N.Y., to visit nearly 40 children and their families staying in the Ronald McDonald House. The 9th Airlift Squadron sponsors residents at the Murphy School, a local organization that provides residential care for neglected children. The 436th Dental Squadron organized donation drives to Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Other squadrons make food donations to the Salvation Army, and then help to package and deliver to struggling families in the local area. Airman First Class Brittany Grisham, from the 436th Airlift Wing Command Post recently led our Toys for Tots drive in which the base donated about 200 gifts worth over $1200. We also recently concluded the Combined Federal Campaign, the world's largest workplace fundraiser, with outstanding results! Team Dover donated more than $191,000 to charitable organizations, $27,000 more than last year and during the worst economic downturn in generations! Likewise, we set records fundraising for the Air Force Assistance Fund. Indeed, our Airmen are prevalent throughout the community -- they are leading Adopt a Highway programs, Habitat for Humanity, the Good Sheppard program, scholarship drives, religious outreach, food drives and telephone hotlines. They are adopting and fostering children in need. They are taking needy families under their wing and providing a home for children of single deployed service members. And they are doing much, much more ... all while serving the Nation in their professional lives, and all without thought of personal recognition. Perhaps it is commonplace for those in physical or spiritual need to turn to those who have dedicated themselves to "service before self." And perhaps we sometimes become immunized to the miracles forming around us. But this Holiday Season, I'm inspired to know that the spirit of "redeeming grace" is alive and well in America's Airmen, and I'm grateful for the wellspring of "goodness" you bring to our Nation and the world. Delivering hope both at home and abroad ... just one more reason Team Dover is America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!