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WHA spouses making a difference

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carwile
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  We know the men and women of the U.S. military strive to make a difference for our country and the world. America also knows these service members could not do it without the support of caring families and friends behind them.

But what about those family members from the 59th Medical Wing who want to make a difference of their own? The Wilford Hall Auxiliary has the solution.

Like most spouses clubs in the military, the WHA hosts several annual events, social activities, and playgroups for children. The core purpose of the club, however, is to give spouses a chance to work collectively to support the local community.

"We are committed to positively impacting the San Antonio military community through the support of various service projects and monetary donations," said Sara Teepe, WHA president.

The WHA supports organizations like the Wounded Warrior Adaptive Sports Camp for veterans with disabilities and the Fisher House, which provides temporary lodging for families of injured service members receiving medical care.

WHA members help children of deployed military personnel go to summer camps, and spend countless hours preparing and mailing care packages to parents of children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the nearby San Antonio Military Medical Center. The WHA also funds the Wilford Hall chaplains' monthly "Bagel Givebacks" program. The program provides free coffee and bagels to members of the 59th MDW in appreciation for their work.

"If we focus our efforts on military community impact, the Wilford Hall Auxiliary will continue to succeed by doing its best to support the men and women of the 59th Medical Wing, our military families and wounded warriors, and even our deployed members," said Teepe. "That is our mission."

For more information on the WHA, visit www.wilfordhallauxiliary.com or www.meetup.com/wilford-hall-auxiliary. You can also email membershipwha@gmail.com for membership information or to submit your questions.