• JB LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash.
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, a variety of programs — with Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) involvement — commenced operations on both the Lewis and McChord sides of the base, helping those service members and their families in need during this festive time of the year.
HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The base’s 2025 Holiday Assistance Program kicked off Nov. 12 at JBLM’s Garrison Headquarters on Lewis Main, representing another year of giving, from thankful donors to grateful service members. Thanks to the donation-based program, more than 600 military families at JBLM and Yakima Training Center will receive either a $35 voucher for food for human consumption, or a voucher valued at $35 for a turkey and a bag of groceries donated by DeCA’s Lewis Main Commissary, said Mary Cron, Financial Readiness Program manager at JBLM’s Armed Forces Community Service. “The program is meant to help provide a more bountiful Thanksgiving meal,” she said. Representatives from 25 units received the program’s vouchers at the opening ceremony to distribute to Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who are in need financially.
The certificates are valid until Nov. 28, and those distributed on JBLM are for use at the Lewis Main Commissary.
OPERation turkey drop
On McChord, 22 units will receive turkeys, and 320 turkeys will be passed out Nov. 20 as part of Operation Turkey Drop.
The event is coordinated by the Team McChord First Sergeant Council and multiple organizations, including DeCA’s McChord Commissary, which is donating 100 turkeys and 100 bags of food for side dishes, said Master Sgt. Julie Rice, of the 62nd Maintenance Group. “I think it’s such a blessing for so many families,” she said. “I just told one of my Airmen the other day that she was going to be receiving this, and literally, tears came out of her eyes.”
NEEDING ASSISTANCE Anyone who needs assistance or knows of a service member in need may reach out to the Financial Readiness Program at AFCS, located in Waller Hall on Lewis Main, at usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.afcs-financial-readiness@army.mil. The Holiday Assistance Program relies solely on donations. To donate, visit https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/donations, and specify on the form the donation is intended for the Holiday Assistance Program. For more information about donating to Operation Turkey Drop, contact the Team McChord First Sergeant Council at teammcchordfirstsergeants@us.af.mil.
Source: JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., Public Affairs via DVIDS
Edited by Larry Lapka
