Security Forces from Hanscom deploy to stricken Gulf Coast Published Oct. 19, 2005 By Rhonda Siciliano 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFMCNS) -- The Hanscom community, like the rest of the nation, is banding together to do its part to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, yard sales and lemonade stands manned by Hanscom children popped up around base housing areas to benefit hurricane victims. In addition, five members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron were the first base personnel to respond to a deployment tasking to the hurricane area. "Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this enormous disaster," said Col. Tim Ceteras, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "Right now we're in the process of developing a coordinated Hanscom relief effort to assist the victims of Katrina in the best manner possible." To guide Hanscom's work force in their private efforts to help, Electronic Systems Center and 66th Air Base Wing Web pages have links to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Combined Federal Campaign as well as the Air Force Aid Society's Hurricane Relief fund to help Air Force families, Colonel Ceteras said. On Sept. 6, Col. Nick Zallas, individual mobilization augmentee to the 66th ABW commander, chaired a meeting with Electronic Systems Center and Air Base Wing leadership and representatives from several Hanscom private organizations to develop a coordinated Hanscom relief effort. "It's important right now that we coordinate all of Hanscom's relief efforts to ensure that we are working together to provide the most efficient and effective response possible," Colonel Zallas said. The Hanscom Company Grade Officers Council, in conjunction with the Hanscom Top Three and Patriot Enlisted Association, is working to identify needs and ensure that those people are provided with clothing and other necessary items. As part of its Combined Federal Campaign some Hanscom organizations will be sponsoring fundraisers for those CFC organizations aiding the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. At the base chapel's Catholic and Protestant services Sept. 11, an offering will be collected for Catholic Charities and the Headquarters Air Education and Training Command Chapel Services' Special Activities Fund, to assist Gulf Coast victims. The AETC fund will be used to assist military victims at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. On Labor Day five members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron passed up the traditional holiday cook-outs to deploy in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. "Even though this was an extremely short-notice deployment tasking, these motivated Defenders stepped forward and volunteered without a moment's hesitation," said Maj. Michael Gimbrone, 66th SFS commander. Several base children spent time over the weekend doing their part to help victims. Some organized impromptu bake sales and lemonade stands while others held yard sales with the profits being donated to relief organizations. Brooke Kobus, 12, along with her brother Chris, Devin Hill and Ricky Shaw, all 9, Kyle Ford, 11, and friends Taylor West, Deshaun Taylor, and Alexa Mattes raised almost $350 by selling drinks and homemade baked goods. The funds will be donated to the American Red Cross and Tornado Teddy's, an organization on base that collects teddy bears to send to the children affected by the hurricane. Nanette Ballou, a Hanscom resident and founder of Tornado Teddy's, is looking to meet the emotional needs of the children who endured the storm. "Our goal is to be able to give a stuffed animal or teddy bear to each and every child, up to the age of 18, who has been a victim of natural disasters in the United States," Ms. Ballou said. "Although food, water and shelter are an immediate necessity for these families, it is our belief that our children's emotional well-being is as important." Anyone interested in volunteering time or donating stuffed animals to Tornado Teddy's can reach Ms. Ballou at (781) 863-0464.