Hearts Apart come together

Published Dec. 9, 2015
By Senior Airman Dustin Mullen
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted their free Hearts Apart 'Who-liday' event Dec. 4 at Northside Baptist Church.

These events are for families with a loved one that is deployed or on a remote assignment.

"This is a chance for us to get the families together so they can make friends and share struggles and strengths with one another," said Tech. Sgt. Lloyd Estes, 325th Force Support Squadron A&FRC NCO in charge. "While having them together, it also allows us to ensure their well-being and to pass along valuable resources available to them through the Air Force and other helping organizations."

This year's theme was "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and children came prepared for the event, dressing up in costumes and getting in the holiday spirit. A total of 36 families with 115 family members were in attendance.

"One of the primary things I've tried to incorporate into everything I do is, 'Would my family partake, and if so, would they enjoy it?,'" said Estes. "It's been a blessing to have my family by my side throughout my time as a readiness NCO because they can remind me what it's like when I'm away and give me a perspective of what currently geographically separated families may experience.

"I feel events, like the Hearts Apart ones, help build camaraderie," he added. "If nothing else, it lets these families know that the A&FRC and the entire base cares about them."

During the party, families enjoyed activities like bean-bag toss, putt-putt, face painting, a video arcade, a photo booth and even a hair stylist booth where families got their hair fashioned after Dr. Seuss characters.

"The hair stylist was a huge hit," said Estes. "Of course after a new hairstyle, people were then seen in the photo booth and instantly emailed the photo to families and often the deployed parents as well."

This event could not have happened without donations and volunteers. The venue and food were two of the most important donations.

"I have to say, every year the biggest and best donation is the venue," said Estes. "Northside Baptist Church not only provides the perfect location and space, but the people that donated their time to make it happen are amazing. A few of those church members also donated time for cooking and serving the food."

In total, 34 Team Tyndall members and church members helped setting up decorations, providing lights and for one 823rd REDHORSE volunteer, dressing up like the mean one: Mr. Grinch.

"I feel the event was a huge success. Every year I get to see people's faces as they walk over the bridge and into 'Whoville' and I immediately know it's a success," said Estes. "One of my favorite parts is seeing the kids smile when they get to take a picture with Santa and receive many gifts and toys. Most of all, seeing families in person, letting them know we care about them and are here for them while their loved one is thousands of miles away."