Local couple donates toys to troops

Published Dec. 31, 2014
By Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- For dozens of military families here, this past holiday season was made a little brighter because of the generosity of a local couple.

For the past ten years, Donald and Linda Sahlem have been donating new toys to the families of the men and women stationed here at Niagara.

Sometime after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Don and Linda thought that there were some military families that could use some assistance over the holidays. They called the base to ask if there was a need for the toys they had been collecting, and after speaking with the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Sahlem's brought the toys to the base for distribution.

Don and Linda purchase the toys themselves and begin collecting early each year.

"We accumulate throughout the year with one or two things each week and start immediately for next year after dropping off the donations at the base," said Don.

The toys are delivered to the base just before the first weekend of December for distribution during the December Unit Training Assembly. This year more than 100 toys were donated.

"We have fun doing it," said Linda. "It's our way of saying thank you to the military."

The Sahlem's are very appreciative of the sacrifices that those in uniform make every day.

"They have our back. We do what we can to help them," said Don.

The toys are matched to military families through the efforts of the Friends of Family Support Association.

"The FFSA supports the efforts, programs and missions of the Family Support Center so that during the holidays we connect with the Airman and Family Readiness Office and we match families with toys," said Holly Curcione, FFSA Treasurer.

Service members in need are nominated by supervisors and leadership within the units who are most in touch with what's going on with their people.

Collectively the supervisors and leadership nominate and give the names to A&FR who in turn help distribute the toys back to the units.

"We never have the servicemen's name, we only know that a family is in need and we make sure that there is something under the tree for the holidays," said Curcione. "Linda and Don are our largest supporters during the holidays as far as toys that are provided."

In addition to any toys given out, gift/grocery cards for a holiday meal are given to families in need, with or without children.

These cards, which are distributed for the Thanksgiving holiday as well, are supported through donations that come from the community and the people here on base.

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