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Mountain Home News

Albertson's gives $5,000 in gift cards to Operation Warmheart

Sunday, December 13, 2009
Kevin McEntee and store manager Lance Armstrong present their donation to Operation Warmheart President Bobby Bankston. The gift cards will benefit needy families on base.

Albertson's, a regular contributor to Mountain Home Air Force Base, presented the Operation Warmheart program with a donation of $5,000 in Albertson's gift cards last Friday morning.

Operation Warmheart, a year-round program designed to assist airmen and their families, is gearing up for the holidays.

In attendance for the presentation were Vice President of Operations for InterMountain West Kevin McEntee, store director Lance Armstrong, Operation Warmheart President Bobby Bankston along with several representatives from Operation Warmheart and Albertson's.

McEntee opened the presentation talking about how proud Albertson's is to be a community partner with Mountain Home Air Force Base and with Operation Warmheart.

"It's our privilege to support the families who work to support our freedom," said McEntee.

Col. Pete Lee, representing Mountain Home Air Force Base, commended both Albertson's and Operation Warmheart.

"Your (Albertson's) support of the local community and for Mountain Home Air Force Base have been outstanding and thank you to Operation Warmheart for their time in taking care of the airmen and their families."

Bankston and Operation Warmheart, were presented with a large gift card for $5,000 and then an envelope with the actual gift cards.

"It's just an incredible opportunity to do something for an airbase that does so much for this town," said Armstrong following the presentation.

"I'm blown away -- $5,000 in gift cards will go towards helping 300-400 families in need. With the economy the way it is, the need is greater and this donation will benefit those families," said Bankston following the presentation.

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  • It's unfortunate that Albertson's has chosen to donate to families who live on base. They do not shop at Albertson's, they shop at the commissary, which has lower prices than most retail stores. If they do live off base, they receive extra pay to offset living expenses.

    The donation should have been donated to families in Mountain Home proper, WE SUPPORT ALBERTSON'S. As a military community, every aspect is directed towards the military. How about the other families in need, such as myself, a single, ex-military wife who is unemployed mom, who does shop at Albertson's.

    Why are these donations not given to the truly needy ?

    -- Posted by Catherine S on Sun, Dec 13, 2009, at 10:30 AM

  • I'm in the military and I agree with Catherine S. We already have programs in place to help military families. Although a lot of military do shop at Albertsons, I think this donation should have been for Mountain Home families.

    -- Posted by dudebro on Mon, Dec 14, 2009, at 12:02 PM

  • I agree that donations should be given to the families of Mountain Home (proper) but as a military family that has been here for YEARS, own a home in town and shop at every grocery store in town I take offense to the comments being made here. We all shop in this town and I know MANY families that live on base that come into town to shop at WalMart, Albertson's and Paul's. The living allowances we recieve sometimes barely cover the expenses of living in a military town. We are lucky we bought when the market was somewhat good. However with rent gouging and price markup (don't tell me it doesn't happen, I worked in one of these fine establishments and prices were changed two days before military paydays), we are just like the rest of you. Trying to get by in a world that is going to pot in a hand basket.

    To Alberston's management, thank you for remembering our military families in need this season.

    -- Posted by SoThisIsSmallville on Mon, Dec 14, 2009, at 11:36 PM

  • Warmheart helps many more than just families on base. An E-1 makes $1400 a month. If he/she lives off of the local economy, they get an additional $898/month with dependents or $674 with out dependents. If he/she has joined the Military and already has dependents, that leaves little left for food once they pay utilities, house rent/payment, car payment, etc. There are plenty of safeguards in place to ensure that contributions go to only those who really need it. Yes, times are tough for everybody. Remember, these people put their lives on the line for their country. Base personnel do a lot for this community through volunteer opportunities, contributions and the like.

    -- Posted by Reserve ID on Tue, Dec 15, 2009, at 8:31 AM
  • *

    It doesn't matter who everyone else thinks this donation should go to... Albertson's made the choice to donate to Operation Warmheart and in todays economy we all should be thankfull that we have a company willing to part with profits and give them to anyone......

    -- Posted by workingbee on Thu, Dec 17, 2009, at 12:23 AM

  • I can't believe these comments on who is receiving

    the donations, just thank God that there are people who are willing to help others in these hard times!! Thank you Albertson's and anyone else who is able to help their fellow man.

    -- Posted by grandmother2six on Thu, Dec 17, 2009, at 7:20 PM

  • First of all Albertson's did not donate to just families who live on base, Operation Warmheart is meant for any military family who is in need regardless of where you live.

    I am a Military spouse and I shop at Albertson's, everytime I go into Albertson's I see other Military families shopping. This town thrives off of the Military base, without us here more businesses would be shutting their doors.

    There are families in need everywhere, it doesnt matter if you are Military or not it's just the facts of life especially with the fall of the economy it is effecting everyone.

    Albertson's did a wonderful thing by donating to Operation Warmheart, it is a great program and helps those who are truly in need. I know there are plenty of other businesses that donate to the town.

    Thank you and Merry Christmas to all!

    -- Posted by AFWifey25 on Tue, Dec 22, 2009, at 11:06 AM
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