Volunteer Community Relations (VCR)

The Volunteer Community Relations is gaining in popularity as more and more servicemembers and civilians donate their off time to help sort and distribute clothing, blankets, toys and school supplies to needy Afghans. The latest mission took the group to Kabul Orphan Care, a subsidiary of the Afghan Relief Fund. Accompanying the group was veteran NBC reporter Jim Maceda, his producer and cameraman. Also on board was Commander of the Combined Air Power Transition Force BG Mike Boera, a first-time volunteer. He and his team of Airmen got into the holiday spirit as they helped unload bags of winter clothing, toys and school supplies. His first impression? “Outstanding. It ends up being a gift just as much to our people as it is to their children,” he said. Their smiles are a gift to us this time of year.” During what’s known as “tea time,” BG Boera and VCR head Chaplain (LTC) Eric Albertson discussed with the orphanage director how the Air Force could use its assets to help distribute items to areas outside of the Afghan capital. “We’re looking for areas that can be used year round, not only in Kabul, but in outlaying areas,” Boera explained. “We may be able to use the capability of Afghan Air Corps helicopters when they’re not in operational use or training. It might be an opportunity to throw a couple of bags of cheer onboard, if you will, to get to some things to less fortunate Afghans who are in these locations.” One item that is coveted by Afghan kids is a simple soccer ball. Volunteers opened a bag full of the balls and made some very big smiles appear. It’s the spirit of giving that made a huge impression on first-time volunteer Air Force Master Sergeant Trevor Smith. “This is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity and a chance to help out the community the best I can. It’s an eye-opening experience and it gives me a sense of ….reality and it makes me feel much better why I’m here.” Chaplain Albertson said there are others who live near the orphanage that need assistance. There are numerous widows of Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police members killed in the war. The orphanage is unique in that it has tremendous community outreach to these widows and their families. One of the sad consequences of this war is that there are a lot of widows and children of those who have been killed. They leave behind a family and a widow. There are somewhere around 1,000 to 1,200 people right in the immediate area of the orphanage.” The VCR continues to collect, sort and distribute items for more missions that will happen throughout the year. The goal, as always, is to win the hearts and minds of needy Afghans to give them a fair and potentially better chance in life. “There’s an older generation and there’s a younger generation, the latter who are the impressionable ones,” said Boera. “We have to reach out and show that there’s a better way of life than what they’ve maybe seen all along.”