Former Angel Tree recipient paying it forward

  • Published
  • By Shawn Jacobs
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  The Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Angel Tree program was a great success again this past Christmas, with approximately 160 employees providing gifts for 179 disadvantaged mid-state children.

One of the AEDC volunteers, Art Walker, an Air Force Investments project manager, took a special interest in the program because he was an Angel Tree recipient as a child. Walker, a native of Mobile, Ala., and 2009 graduate of Alabama A and M University in Huntsville, Ala, said his parents split up when he was about 10, and times were hard for his family, which consisted of his mother, older brother and two younger brothers.

He said his mother learned about the Angel Tree program through their church.

"I was an Angel Tree kid for two or three years," Walker said. "Of course, by then I was 12 or 13, and Christmas had a totally different meaning [for me]. Probably for the next three or four years after that they [my younger brothers] remained Angel Tree kids until my mother got more established and back on her feet.

"The good part about it was when we got introduced to the Angel Tree program, I didn't feel like somebody was handing me something. I felt more like I was being blessed with something. The actual individual who bought the bike or bought the clothes - you didn't get to meet them face-to-face, but you really felt their love and spirit through their gift."

Walker said when he got to high school and college, he supported Angel Tree programs through various organizations of which he was a member. Still, the significance of giving back to the program that had been such a blessing to him didn't sink in until recently.

"It probably wasn't until this past year when I started working here at AEDC," he said. "I had my first child in April, and I think probably what's different this year is that, A, I'm established and, B, I understand as a parent now - versus a young adult - how important it is for that child to feel like he or she is having a very good Christmas and not to feel like they're being left out. I think, actually, the difference would be me transitioning from childhood to adulthood and seeing it from the other side of the fence."

Janet Feller, an Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) programmer analyst in the wind tunnels, coordinated the AEDC Angel Tree program this year for the ATA Employee and Community Activity (E&CAC). She said she was particularly impressed with Walker's interest in the program.

"He called me about the Angel Tree program and said that he and some folks in his office would like to participate," Feller said. "Art shopped for several Angels, getting some last minute things and some extra items to donate. He and some from his office helped with the loading of the vehicles when the staff/counselors came to collect the gifts."

Feller said Walker is the first former Angel to share his story with her.

"I know that there are some hesitations from people about Angel Tree programs, whether here or with churches," she said. 'Do we know the kids are getting the gifts or what if parents return the gifts for cash, etc.?' Art sharing his story should reaffirm our hope that what we do for God today might not be seen today, but God will use it for His glory - in His time. Art is an enjoyable and inspiring person to be around, and I am thankful I have learned more about him during this event."

As a fairly recent hire, this year was Walker's first to participate in the AEDC Angel Tree, but don't expect it to be his last.

"As far as on this end, I feel like I've got a long road ahead of me when it comes to the Angel Tree program," he said. "I'm just coming into adulthood, and this is my first Christmas having a young one of my own. I feel like the mission continues. This is my first year here at AEDC helping out, but the people here have been in place helping with this for years. I feel like I'm playing catch-up, actually.