Hearts Apart brings holiday cheer once again

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ty-Rico Lea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Tyndall Airman & Family Readiness Center hosted its annual Hearts Apart Who-liday Party Dec. 5 in Panama City, Fla.

"The Hearts Apart events are done specifically for families with loved ones deployed or remote," Tech. Sgt. Lloyd Estes, 325th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center NCO. "It's a chance for us to get the families together so they can make friends and share struggles and strengths."

The event was hosted Friday, Dec. 5 for all deployed spouses and again on Tuesday, Dec. 9 for the Exceptional Family Member program.

"While having them together, it also allows us to ensure their well-being and pass along valuable resources available to them through the Air Force and helping organizations," Estes said. "The Who-liday party itself was something my wife, Natalie Estes, and I came up with last year. It seemed like fun for all ages, and that it truly has been!"

More than 50 families spent the evening together conversing with one another. They all shared the common interest of the "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" theme, which is a recurring theme for the Who-liday party and will be as long as I'm here," Estes said. "However, we incorporated more of Whoville and all the people and creatures from the popular Dr. Seuss stories, so families feel like they are walking right into a Dr. Seuss book for Christmas."

The event also had volunteers who assisted with food, entertainment and supervision for all guests.

"Being able to help deployed member's spouses feel more at ease with events like these has always been something I like to do," said Staff Sgt. Michael Terek, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron electronic warfare programs team leader. "I was here for the previous Who-liday events. And I'd say it has gotten increasingly better."

All children received personalized gifts as well as a photo with Santa Claus after enjoying food and games. In addition to the gifts children received, Air Force service member Staff Sgt. Michael Dawson, 325th Maintenance Squadron munitions inspector volunteered to dress as the Grinch and personally hand out stuff toys to children.

"Getting out and doing something fun with others in similar circumstance was much better than sitting alone and doing nothing," said Chelsea Rose, spouse of Capt. Stephen Rose, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Group maintenance operations officer in-charge.

Service members can be tasked for deployments at any given moment, leaving spouses without the complimentary support of their significant other.

"If there's one key thing I'm sure spouses and dependents can take from the event, is camaraderie," Estes said. "It's great seeing the same families attending and getting to know each other. I can only hope they build friendships and support each other not only during deployments or Hearts Apart events, but all the time!"