Operation Bear Claus
'06
Well folks, the first anual Operation Bear Claus went down without a hitch!
MEGA THANKS go out to all that contributed!
The following folks from Kitbashers World definitely spurred me on:
Graeylin BHD 54thCuda2 Bravo1102 Cpl.Shepard owann othinsson
katyar old bill laughinggravy2 Piperdan Rob Chaindog Trevor
Donations from the following folks were a definite help:
Chris Sacash - AWESOME DONATIONS!
GIGeorge - 40th Anniversery all the way!
Graeylin - you da man!
Alan, Carol, & James of Sutton, Surrey!!!!! - COOL STUFF!
A Special Thanks goes out to Senior Master Seargent James P Fry, USAF
of Support, Airman & Family Readiness Center
On with the pics:
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| This is how
it started! Boxes and boxes of figs and gear... Santa Bear's Elves (from left to right): Debbie Halstead (aka White Deer), Linda Moses (aka Mom), Nina Johnson (in the toy box), Khaiya Johnson, & Asul Johnson (aka Better Half) |
Boxes of
donated figs and gear - some from as far away as Great Britain! Once again THANKS FOLKS! |
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| You have to
understand, NONE of Santa Bear's Elves are 1/6th-ers... They just wanted to help! |
From Left to
Right: Santa Bear himself (aka ME), Donna King (Santa's Helper EXTREME), and White Deer Note the growing pile of wrapped figs on the couch! |
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| In one
evening we ripped, bashed, and wrapped 120 complete figs! |
The pile of
trash left over from the ripping took up 6 garbage bags! |
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| A SPECIAL
THANKS goes out to 21st Century Toys' Chapman Chan! Without his assistance, the TRUCKLOAD Overstock would NOT have been available for this endevour! |
Rippin',
bashin', & wrappin'!!!! |
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| Even Santa
Bear's Elves had to take a break! LOOK at that pile o' figs! |
A whicked BIG
Thanks to my lovely wife and Mother! Without their support and understanding, I would surely NEVER have pulled this off in time! |
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| The final
wrap! |
The end
result! Two boxes packed with 120 freshly bashed & wrapped figs. |
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| Time to deliver the
goodies! YES! That is SNOW!!!! In order to get to Holloman AFB, I had to drive through San Augustin Pass. This day there was 2 inches of snow - traffic (NOT used to snow) was creeping along at a whopping 10 MPH! |
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| It was
raining when we got to Holloman! Santa Bear & his helper Allan Johnson (aka Zerker - Son-In-Law Extraordinaire!) Transfer the goodies! |
Bear &
SMSgt Fry! GREAT GUY! |
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| After the
goodies were all transferred into SMSgt Fry's truck - he presented me
& My Daughter Khaiya with a gift! |
He explained
the significance of the gift. |
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| With a
hardy Handshake the gift was transferred! |
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| The Gift was
a 1st Seargant's Medallion This side reads: "WELL DONE!" - "Service, Integrity, Excellence" |
"United
States Air Force - First Seargeant" I will cherish this medallion for the rest of my days! I believe it was SMSgt Fry's personal Medallion! I am honored! |
Well, that's it folks!
I just wish I could see the looks on the kid's faces when they open their gifts!
Once again - Thank you to everyone that helped me pull this off!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Bear Johnson