Youth supporting youth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Damon Kasberg
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess youth reached out to children of deployed servicemembers through Operation Youth Outreach Dec. 13, 2012, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

Members of the outreach program had the opportunity to create personalized Christmas cards for children, writing words of encouragement and understanding.

"The mission is for the youth to be helping youth," said Jodi McDaniel, youth service coordinator. "It's amazing what some of the youth wrote because a lot of them know from experience what it's like to have a parent gone during the holidays."

Heather Cameron, 7th Force Support Squadron key spouse, collected the names of servicemembers in the 7th FSS who are currently deployed and worked with the Dyess Youth Center to ensure that their children feel special and not forgotten during the holidays.

"When servicemembers are deployed, spouses get a lot of support," said Heather Cameron. "We wanted to make sure that the children are also getting that support."
The children who received cards were surprised and happy when members of Operation Youth Outreach came to their house to personally hand-deliver the gift.

"I was surprised when I got the card," said Dakota Cameron, 6. "I liked it and the candy."
More than 20 cards were created, each one with its own special touch and message.

A card from one youth to another read, "Dear Mason, I am your age so I know what it is like to have a family member gone. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Love Briana."

Another read, "Have a very Merry Christmas. Stay awesome and happy! Hope you see your dad soon."

Making children feel a little extra special on the holidays is just one of the ways the Operation Youth Outreach program plans on letting youth know that they're not alone.

"This is an ongoing thing," McDaniel said. "We're also hoping to provide something for the children's birthdays and expand this program to other squadrons."