Three proverbs of charitable giving Published Jan. 8, 2010 By Jacki Caron Mortensen Operation Warm Heart MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- Charles Dickens once said, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another." This past Christmas season, 26 March ARB families received a momentary lift from their unforeseen burdens, compliments of many charitable March members and support agencies. Operation Warm Heart is based upon the proverb, "If you have much, give of your wealth. However, if you have little, give of your heart." This year, the Visterra Credit Union, Federal Managers Association Chapter 233 and Stater Brothers generously donated the funds for the OWH grocery store gift cards. Brothers In Arms adopted one of our March families again this year and the Kiwanis of Torrance donated over 300 toys. This year, our Operation Warm Heart donors gave much of themselves and their hearts. Several members of the March lodging staff donated gift cards. The 163 OSS's Master Sgt. Christian Smith raised funds from 114 members and Tech. Sgt. Cesar Cortes from 452 AMXS gathered funds from 50 of his squadron members. Tech. Sgt. Duane Bogard and eight members from the 452 MOS donated funds which purchased fresh fruit, juices, candy, coffees and teas, hot chocolate and other goodies that adorned the OWH baskets. Selflessness also came from retiree Blandino Asuncion, Lt. Col. Anthony Loving and Steve Hensley for food, gift cards and monetary donations. Fitness Center staff member Marco Defelice directed Run for Operation Warm Heart where runners pledged money for accomplishing 5K or 10K runs outdoors or on the treadmills. The seven participants raised over $1,700 for OWH. The March Fire Department volunteered to help the Operation Warm Heart 'elves' by picking up the food donations March squadrons and agencies had collected. The firefighters took all donations to the OWH Santa's workshop for the elves to prepare the baskets and match toys to the nominated March families. The Operation Warm Heart elves, anonymous as they are, thank all the people who donated funds, a can of food, a toy and their own time. We especially thank all of the caring supervisors who recognized when one of their subordinates needed a quiet helping hand to lift some of their burdens over the holidays! "If you find it in your heart to care for someone else, you will have succeeded." --Maya Angelou