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American Legion, Kentucky Air Guard bring Christmas joy to families in need

By Master Sgt. Phil Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office / Published December 23, 2014

Chief Master Sgt. Ray Dawson (left), command chief master sergeant of the 123rd Airlift Wing, and Amy Quimby, the wing’s Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager, unload Operation Military Cheer Christmas gifts at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 17, 2014. The gifts, donated by the American Legion Auxiliary’s Anderson Unit 34 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, will be provided to the children of 11 Kentucky Air National Guard Airmen. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
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Chief Master Sgt. Ray Dawson (left), command chief master sergeant of the 123rd Airlift Wing, and Amy Quimby, the wing’s Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager, unload Operation Military Cheer Christmas gifts at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Dec. 17, 2014. The gifts, donated by the American Legion Auxiliary’s Anderson Unit 34 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, will be provided to the children of 11 Kentucky Air National Guard Airmen. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

141217-Z-JU667-017: Chief Master Sgt. Ray Dawson (left), command chief master sergeant of the 123rd Airlift Wing, and Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Loafman, the wing’s ground safety manager, unload a child’s bike as part of Operation Military Cheer at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 17, 2014. The gifts, donated by the American Legion Auxiliary’s Anderson Unit 34 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, will be provided to the children of 11 Kentucky Air National Guard Airmen. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
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141217-Z-JU667-017: Chief Master Sgt. Ray Dawson (left), command chief master sergeant of the 123rd Airlift Wing, and Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Loafman, the wing’s ground safety manager, unload a child’s bike as part of Operation Military Cheer at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 17, 2014. The gifts, donated by the American Legion Auxiliary’s Anderson Unit 34 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, will be provided to the children of 11 Kentucky Air National Guard Airmen. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Operation Military Cheer will make Christmas a little brighter for 11 Kentucky Air National Guard families this year.

The annual campaign, coordinated in partnership with Cindy Culver and Linda Jones of the Kentucky National Guard Youth Program, collected dozens of toys, games and bicycles for 12 children of Kentucky Air National Guardsmen.

The gifts were donated by the American Legion Auxiliary's Anderson Unit 34 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, according to Amy Quimby, Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager for the Kentucky Air Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing.

"I truly appreciate the amazing support from the American Legion Auxiliary's Anderson Unit 34," Quimby said. "They went above and beyond with the Operation Military Cheer program to assist our families.

"Their support means a lot. I've had parents cry because of the amount of presents they receive for their families. The support provides presents for Christmas and frees up money to ensure the families have extra funds for food or bills. Words will never tell the American Legion Auxiliary members the true amount of appreciation and gratitude."

Operation Military Cheer provided gift cards, clothes, shoes and toys to 454 children of Kentucky National Guard Airmen and Soldiers last year.