JBER first sergeants kick off Operation Warmheart Published Nov. 25, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Raymond Mills JBER Public Affairs JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The dental surgery she needed badly wasn't covered by TRICARE - and there was no way Sarah and her husband could scrape up the necessary cash. Desperate, her husband mentioned the problem to his first sergeant. By the end of the week, Sarah was home from surgery - thanks to emergency funds from Operation Warmheart. Operation Warmheart, a program that provides assistance to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson families will be collecting money outside of the Exchange through Dec. 24. Donations will benefit families who need immediate financial or other form of relief. "I am a first sergeant. My job is people - people are my business. I dedicate my time and energy to their needs; their health, morale, discipline and welfare." These words form the first paragraph of the U.S. Air Force First Sergeant's Creed and exemplify Operation Warmheart. Operation Warmheart is a first-sergeant-centric non-profit fundraising and relief agency which provides assistance in the forms of loans, grants and donations to JBER families who otherwise who aren't covered by Air Force Aid. "All of these funds are raised for Airmen, but we do understand that this is a joint base and sometimes we have Soldiers and other service members who are assigned to Air Force units and we will try to help them and civilians as well," said Senior Master Sgt. Steven Hart, 703d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and Operation Warmheart chairman. "Operation Warmheart is an important program because it is an additional tool for taking care of our own personnel in a very expeditious manner," said Master Sgt. Thomas Smith, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron first sergeant and Operation Warmheart co-chair. "The JBER first sergeants council is able to provide immediate relief for members experiencing hardship and have an immediate need of financial assistance. [We assisted] with more than $1,200 in the past month." Although Operation Warmheart aids in financial matters, they also accept and distribute donations ranging from food to presents. This year 100 Thanksgiving baskets were distributed by Operation Warmheart in conjunction with the commissary and various vendors. Anyone who would like to contribute, volunteer or is in need of Operation Warmheart services, contact your first sergeant for additional information.