TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Despite the limitations of COVID-19, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Detachment 1 volunteers were determined to continue the six-year tradition of “Spread the Joy,” using a drive-thru system at Lucille Moore Elementary School in Panama City, Florida, to hand out gifts to more than 100 children and families.
The Dec. 17, 2020, event, sponsored by AFCEC’s Detachment 1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, involved many hours before hand, purchasing gifts and wrapping them to ensure children at the school had a joyous Christmas. On the day, Santa Claus greeted every vehicles filled with excited children while his AFCEC "elves" put presents in to the vehicles.
Normally held in the school with a hot meal and the happy sounds of gasps and squeals after opening presents, this year’s event had to be amended to keep children and Santa safe from COVID-19.