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VIENNA -- The Military Officers Association of America-Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter supported the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 910th Airlift Family and Readiness (AFR) in early August and mid-September with an MOAA Foundation Community Outreach Grant of $2,500 and plenty of manpower.
Chapter treasurer Bruce Bille led the project by presenting $1,500 in GetGo cards to AFR Director Kelly Turner prior to an Aug. 1 Welcome Home event at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna. The cards can be used at GetGo gas stations and Markets and Giant Eagle grocery stores, making them ideal for 910th Airlift Wing reservists, who travel great distances, including outside the state, to attend drill periods and make their deployments and returns.
In addition to the cards, the chapter manned an information table and distributed snacks and beverages to returning airmen and their families, while others led arts and crafts projects as parents received post-deployment briefings from 910th personnel.
The chapter returned to the YARS for the 910th Airlift Wing's Family Day on Sept. 12, with additional beverages and snacks, but the rain put a damper on planned outdoor activities and games for the children of 910th personnel. Chapter member Esther Gartland nonetheless kept the children's attention with puzzles, games and craft kits.
The chapter is also delivering a $4,250 MOAA grant to the Youngstown Blue Coats, based in Hubbard, this year to provide warm weather clothing and outdoor shelters to homeless veterans in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.