Partnering together to support the troops

Representatives from Robins Spouses Group, 21st Century Partnership and Robins Financial Credit Union met on Friday to officially partner up on a mission to support troops who are living abroad during the holiday season.

Sometimes people think this is just a 21st Century Partnership thing,” said Dan Rhoades, COO of the organization. “It’s not. We’re just one of just one of the groups involved to make this happen. As a matter of fact, the best group to talk to about this is Robins Spouses’ Group. They can give you the best representation.”

Robins Spouses’ Club was established in 2019, and according to the group’s website, its mission is to provide Robins’ spouses with an outlet where they can grow in friendships, give back in charity and service and learn to thrive for a healthier tomorrow. Robin’s Spouses’ Group’s current president is Teresa Faison.

“This is really a great program that serves as many troops in this mission as we can,” Faison told Houston Home Journal. “Last year, we were able to put together 190 care packages and ship to troops that are stationed all over.”

The care packages consist of everything from toiletry items and candy to books, magazines and socks.

“We even pack beef jerky,” Faison said with a laugh. “Who doesn’t love beef jerky?”

One item in the boxes that troops might find most touching and memorable is a handmade holiday card.

“In every care package, we include Christmas cards,” revealed Faison. “The cards are made by some of the children at the local schools. We want to let those troops know that even though they’re not home with their family and friends, they have not been forgotten about during the holiday.”

The mission is a three-part process. Volunteers from Robins Spouses’ Club get together to fill the boxes. Faison said that they are joined by volunteer ‘first shirts’ (a term often used to identify first sergeants in the U.S. Air Force) and volunteers from AF Inc. in partnership with AFRC (the Airmen and Family Readiness Center). The Robins community then get the care packages shipped out.

Faison explained that the hands-on volunteering is done by people who have base access, so there is never a public all-call for volunteer help. However, she said that the public is welcome and encouraged to donate items for the packages.

“We will be making this year’s shipment in early December,” Faison said, “but it’s not too late to donate. We accept donations right up until when the boxes go out the door.”

For those who wish to contribute to this year’s care packages, Faison encourages them to contact Master Sergeant Sean Reeve at sean.reeve@us.af.mil.

HHJ News