Operation Care spreads Thanksgiving cheer to those in need Published Nov. 18, 2005 By 1st Lt. James Madeiros 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFMCNS) -- A group of Eglin’s First Sergeants gathered together Tuesday morning to distribute frozen turkeys and other Thanksgiving essentials to squadron representatives as this year’s Operation Care got underway.Operation Care, a program funded through donations to the Combined Federal Campaign, provides Team Eglin members who are suffering through hardship the makings of a Thanksgiving meal for the holiday season.“The food is for active duty, Guard, Reserves and federal employees who are enduring tough times financially and might not otherwise enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal without assistance,” said Master Sgt. Steven Evans, 46th Maintenance Squadron First Sergeant.The operation began with information gathered through Eglin’s First Sergeants indicating how many families were in need in each squadron. Once it was determined how many boxes of Thanksgiving items were needed, the available funds were divided to determine how much could be spent on each box.Then, the First Sergeants turned the information over to a representative in the Defense Commissary Agency, and they worked together to establish what would be best to put in the boxes.Finally, the boxes were assembled at the commissary, and the turkeys were added to the boxes Tuesday, when they were distributed throughout the squadrons.Master Sergeant Evans, who spearheaded this year’s drive, said Operation Care has been an Eglin tradition for several years.This year 1,200 people will receive something that will help them celebrate the holiday.“The bottom line is that we’re taking care of our own,” Sergeant Evans said. “We’re family. Reaching out to our members and their families during their tough times builds a sense of belonging to the family. If our troops know they and their families are taken care of, they are able to stay better focused on their Air Force mission.”