KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- The 173rd Fighter Wing Airmen and Family Readiness Center came together on Saturday, August 4, 2018, to provide school supplies to the families of veterans and other Airmen. They worked with Operation Homefront, a civilian nonprofit organization, and the Dollar Tree to fill a room with everything a child would need to be ready for school.
“This could potentially save families hundreds of dollars,” said Master Sgt. Thomas Dobbelaere, who helped organize the event. A few hundred dollars can have a significant impact on a year’s budget, Dobbelaere added.
Families had an opportunity to browse through school supplies as well as talk to organizations that support students.
Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization that supports current and former members of the military. The organization was founded after 9/11 to support deployed service members, and has since expanded its mission. This supply drive was part of the Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade program. Other programs that they host include a holiday toy drive and holiday meals for the military.
Dobbelaere said that this marks the second time the base has hosted the event. Last year Airmen gathered supplies on base, but this year the supply drive was moved to a more central location in Klamath Falls.