NATCA members lend a hand for the holidays
When it comes to showing holiday spirit, many NATCA members rise to occasion. Though these safety professionals work hard throughout the year, many put forth extra effort to spread holiday cheer in their spare time.
Jerry Maune, a controller at Louisville Standiford Tower, indulges his holiday spirit by dressing as Santa Claus and entertaining not only controllers’ children, but also those in dire need of uplifting holiday fun.
“I made a Kentucky State Trooper cry when I showed up at his house on Christmas morning. His kids were shocked to see me and wondered where the reindeer were,” Maune recalls. “The reason the trooper cried was that his wife had cancer and was going through chemotherapy and this was possibly their last Christmas together. We had met briefly at a fishing tournament, but I didn’t know about his wife. I was just doing it for the young kids and they’ll always remember that.”
Maune sees these acts as his way of making a difference in a time when many people are struggling and dealing with tragedy. “I do this because it brings joy to people who need to feel a little joy, and it warms my heart to bring a little pure joy to this messed-up world,” he says.
Controllers at Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON also find that the act of giving can make an enjoyable time of year even more fulfilling. Many members at the facility volunteer for “Operation Candy Cane,” an organization whose mission is to provide “goodie” bags for soldiers overseas during the holiday season.
“Members here are very generous,” says Vicki Harville, a controller who serves as the facility’s point of contact for the drive. “We are collectively aware of how blessed we are to have the jobs we do, and we want to reach out to those who have less.”
The idea for “Operation Candy Cane” originated when Fort Worth Center (ZFW) Controller and Traffic Management Representative Michelle Foster, along with fellow ZFW Controller Susan Conley, wanted to do something for soldiers serving in Iraq during Christmas. “Controllers stepped up to the plate and were very responsive to our efforts,” Foster recalls. “We had a roomful of supplies for soldiers and controllers put together more than 600 bags before bringing them to Fort Hood for delivery. We all wanted to do everything we could to make the holidays as bright as possible for those serving their country during this difficult time.”
Foster and Conley’s generosity spread to those around them. “Many of the items we sent were donated,” Foster said. “When one of us bought a car, we asked the dealership if it was interested in donating. They responded by donating hundreds of phone cards for the troops.”
