Random Acts of Kindness – Pay It Forward

Staff Sgt. Danyette Washington, a contracting officer, and Technical Sgt. Justin Seals, a native of Vidalia L.A. and deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, pump gas as a random act of kindness during the 12 Days of Kindness endeavor initiated by the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s Helping Agencies Team. This initiative’s goal is to perform random acts of kindness and inspire recipient Airmen to pay it forward. Staff Sgt. Washington is deployed from RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom and hails from New Orleans, L.A. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Nicole David)

Random Acts of Kindness – Pay It Forward

Staff Sgt. Danyette Washington, a contracting officer with the 379th Expeditionary Contracting who is deployed from RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom and hails from New Orleans, L.A., pumps gas for Staff Sgt. Jamyal Lett, a chaplains assistant, as a random act of kindness during the 12 Days of Kindness endeavor initiated by the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s Helping Agencies Team. This initiative’s goal is to perform random acts of kindness and inspire recipient Airmen to pay it forward. Staff Sgt. Lett is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base and a native of Augusta, G.A. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Nicole David)

Random Acts of Kindness - Pay It Forward

Published Dec. 12, 2013
By Major Nicole David
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA - -- The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing has proven time and time again that when it comes to taking care of Airmen, it pulls together and ensures that each and every person is Fit to Fight. This not only means physically, but also spiritually and emotionally, which is exactly the goal of this season's 12 Days of Kindness.

The 12 Days of Kindness was created by the Helping Agency Team, a team made up of those in support offices such as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Inspector General, Equal Opportunity, Family Readiness, Mental Health, and Chaplains. The HAT, with the help of the Spouses Group, Top 3, and First Sergeants, will go around for 12 days starting Dec. 13 and perform random acts of kindness for Airmen throughout the base.

"The idea actually started with me being a recipient of a random act of kindness," said Senior Master Sgt. Nicole Bradley, a 379th AEW victim advocate. "Lt. Col. Tiffany Morgan, 379th AEW Bioenvironmental Engineer, deployed from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. and Owego, N.Y. native, treated me and her personnel to a coffee at the Coffee Beanery. I plan to pay it forward!" Senior Master Sgt. Bradley is deployed here from Yokota Air Base, Japan and hails from Deadwood, S. D.

Several members of the HAT will frequent locations on base where many of the Airmen work or like to hang out and relax. This is where they plan to spread kind deeds in the hopes that others will pay it forward to their fellow Airmen. Some examples of acts of kindness include treating someone to coffee, pumping someone's fuel for them, busing tables at the dining facility, or even delivering treats to their lodging.

"The helping agencies are often thought of as the place you go when you're in trouble or need help," said Capt. Courtney Hemmert, the 379th AEW SARC. "This is certainly true, but we want to change that perspective and be out with the Airmen; we want to come to you and show you that we care." Hemmert is deployed from RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom and hails from Littleton, Colo.

Random acts of kindness aren't really random; they are the epitome of the Air Force Core Values, holding Airmen to a higher standard and according to Bradley, "We should be doing little things like this for each other every day. Together we can create the community of dignity and respect that we all deserve to be a part of."

Click here for the 12 Days of Kindness schedule.