A dinner for those in need, a rewarding experience for those that give

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The holiday season is about giving and sharing with friends and family. The community of Abilene has always embraced its Airmen and every year volunteers from Dyess take the opportunity to give back.

Each year the 7th Force Support Squadron hosts the South Park Holiday Dinner. The event is a charity dinner that takes place at the South Park Recreation Center, in which the squadron prepares and feeds those less fortunate.

This year, Tech Sgt. Kristy Hosby, 7th FSS, custodial manager at the Dyess Inn, took the reins in heading up the 24th annual South Park Holiday Dinner.

"I love helping the less fortunate and people in general," Hosby said. "Once I heard about this event I was all in because it is right up my alley."

The event runs purely off of donations, and thanks to the generosity of local businesses, the squadron was able to serve a traditional holiday meal comprised of: ham, turkey, corn, green beans, stuffing, yams, desserts and drinks.

"Taking on the annual South Park Holiday dinner was hectic," Hosby said. "It took a lot of networking with local businesses and donations to make it happen."

Organizing an event like this takes time and effort. Hosby relied on support from the community, as well as her squadron and family.

"I didn't realize how much went into the planning and executing the event," Hosby said. "I was lucky to have my squadron behind me every step of the way."

With the help of nearly 30 7th FSS Airmen, dependents and the Abilene community, the squadron was able to feed an estimated 125 people.

"Without the contributions from local businesses, 7th FSS wouldn't have been able to successfully pull off the event," said Hosby.

Many of the patrons were very thankful and appreciative of the effort and generosity of the Airmen that volunteered.

"It is wonderful what these Airmen are doing," said Kathy Saunders, a former Dyess Airman that attended the event. "This event is marvelous and these Airmen should keep up the good work."

At the end of the night, after all was said and done, Hosby found the experience of heading the event to be very gratifying.

"The most rewarding part was helping and seeing everyone enjoy the food and the atmosphere of the night," Hosby said.