DOVER — For many Airmen at Dover Air Force Base who need specialized medical care, the limiting factor isn’t paying for the service itself, but getting to the best facilities.
These facilities are often located in larger cities like Wilmington and Philadelphia, so a group of volunteers aims to help these patients through their “Wheels to Wellness” initiative.
The donations range from food to gas to lodging, and the organization distributes gift cards to the airmen, many of whom are in the lowest paid bracket of the Air Force.
Wheels to Wellness is run through Operation Warm Heart Dover, a nonprofit that supports military personnel and their families on base.
Honorary Commander graduate Joe Yasishyn wrote a letter to other Honorary Commanders explaining the process.
“Requests for assistance are reviewed, selected and processed through Dover AFB’s First Sergeant (Council). Once the need is approved by the (base) medical department it is forwarded to Staff Sergeant Collin Malcolm, who coordinates the review process through the First Sergeant (Council),” he wrote.
He also noted that privacy controls must be in place to ensure base personnel are not allowed to ask the community for help, which is why the effort must be driven by outside organizations and individuals, such as the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Dina Vendetti explained further.
“People come to First Sergeant and tell them what their deal is and why they want it. It’s up to their discretion to give them the appropriate amount, but it’s very anonymous.”
She added that Wheels to Wellness launched in April, but organizers are working hard to get the word out.
Donations can be sent to Dover First Sergeant Council, 442 13th St., Dover AFB, DE 19902. Donations can also be made via PayPal by selecting “Dover Giving Fund” at linktr.ee/doverafbowh.
