UDM packages holiday spirit

Published Oct. 16, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- It is easy to become lulled into the monotony of deployed life and downplay the importance of celebrating holidays while downrange.

Annette Bonaro, Air Force District of Washington unit deployment manager, strives to ensure the Airmen she deploys don't surrender to the Groundhog Day effect by coordinating care packages containing a dose of holiday cheer for everyone she sends into the area of responsibility.

Bonaro, commonly referred to as "Mom" by the Airmen she deploys, knows how special a care package can make someone feel. She is a retired Air Force major who served in Iraq and Oman. On one deployment, she became disheartened watching a fellow Airman faithfully show up to every mail call, but never receive a care package.

"I called my mom and asked her to send this guy a package," she said. "When he got that package, he was stunned."

Bonaro does not want any Airman deployed from AFDW to feel those back in the Jones Building have forgotten them. Four times a year, she coordinates themed care packages to send to each deployed AFDW Airman.
"Everybody sends the standard stuff," she said. "I like to theme these care packages for upcoming holidays. Some people dread the holidays while they are deployed and this helps spread the holiday spirit."

Bonaro often receives notes of thanks from Airmen expressing gratitude and telling how the packages not only brightened their day, but their co-worker's day, too.

Staff Sgt. Kenton Charles, who was deployed last winter, said, "Thank you for the Christmas box. I received it today (and) already put up the decorations. My Scottish co-worker is putting the snowmen together."

Col. Michael Paston, deployed from AFDW last winter, was also incredibly appreciative of the care package he received.

"You have really made my holiday season," he said. "You boxed and shipped love and support and sent it to Afghanistan. I wouldn't have thought it was possible. Your package filled the lonely holiday gap caused from being away from my family and friends. I can't tell you how much the gifts and the letters made me feel, and it wowed all the others."

Bonaro is currently coordinating donations for her next round of care packages. In the five years she has been sending packages to deployed AFDW Airmen, she has streamlined the process. She designs a standardized packages to be sent to everyone. She then creates a master donation checklist where individuals can register to donate for specific items. Once she receives all of the donations, she coordinates a packing event.

"The packing events serve as a visual reminder of how we thank our troops," she said.

Bonaro also receives support for the creation of the AFDW care packages from those outside of the National Capital Region. Local school students and Junior ROTC members contribute to the care packages, along with residents of her hometown, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

"A couple of years ago family and friends asked how they could help," she said. "That is when I created the Care Package Central Facebook page."

Coordinating the care package donation checklists and packing parties can be very time consuming, but it is something that brings a great deal of joy to Bonaro. Since October 2009, she has shipped 244 boxes to deployed AFDW Airmen.

"I keep doing this because I can't stand to see people go without," Bonaro said.

The holiday care packages are currently being coordinated by Bonaro. She will mail them out shortly before Thanksgiving. For more information about purchasing items for the care packages, contact Bonaro at (240) 612-4486 or visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/CARE-Package-Central/126949817413050?ref=br_tf.