Season of giving begins early

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kayla Newman
  • 916th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  In early October, the eastern United States watched as a powerful hurricane tore through the Caribbean causing hundreds of casualties in Haiti before making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds in McClellanville, South Carolina.

Hurricane Matthew caused significant flooding and damage to areas along the east coast, jump starting the season of giving, as several U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing were among countless volunteers sacrificing their time to help those affected by the hurricane.

Senior Airman Tim Cotterill, 916th Force Support Squadron network operations journeyman, was living in Apex, North Carolina, at the time of the storm and was not personally effected. But just a little over an hour away, he knew there were people that needed his help.

“What motivated me to help those affected was when I saw the pictures on the Seymour Johnson Facebook page,” said Cotterill. “I personally feel that we are one family, and we always help family.

“So, I started with items that we no longer needed and it spread to other friends, to the point that I had a truck load of items, along with gift cards to drop off to affected families.”

While there aren’t strict guidelines detailing how to get involved, Cotterill used the sources that he was familiar with, such as the installation’s Operation Warmheart organization and his squadron.

The first family he was able to help was a young couple and their 7-year-old and 9-year-old sons. However, it wasn’t Cotterill lending a hand alone.

“I also encouraged my two older [sons] to help deliver and meet the children of the other family, to show them that when possible, you always go above and beyond to help people in a time of need,” said Cotterill.

While many are still recovering from Hurricane Matthew and as the holidays get underway, it is important to remember those who may be less fortunate. As shown by Cotterill, Airmen are dedicated to the core values, especially ‘Service before Self,’ as he is encouraging others to continue to give back.

“My advice is put yourself in their shoes,” he added. “When people are going through tough times, all it takes is one time for someone to do a nice gesture to let them know, ‘Hey, we see you and we care.’”