Deployed Airmen take a gamble to help Haitians

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Haiti --  After toiling in the humidity all day to help Haitians here who were badly affected by an earthquake that struck the country January 12, U.S. service members found another way to help while having a little fun in the deployed environment.

Casino Night brought out the best players in Air Force's tent city here March 9.

The lights were bright and cheers of excitement along with the groans of losing a few hundred dollars echoed loudly through the encampment as the games began.

"Tech. Sgt Chris Jones, deployed from the Connecticut National Guard 103rd Airlift Wing, 24th Air Expeditionary Group superintendent, came up with the idea to replace Tuesday's movie event with a fun way to raise money for the local orphanages here," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Gerald Delebreau, 920th Rescue Wing command chief, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

Not only would it help the locals but it would boost the morale of the military members said Chief Delebreau, who immediately put the wheels into motion to make it happen.

Sergeant Jones said he got the idea from the Canadian military deployed here to help also and borrowed the gambling materials to set the stage for a successful night out on the town.

Casino night wasn't about beating the house or going home with empty pockets, said Chief Delebreau. "It was about the children of Haiti. Instead of a monetary award - it was the internal feeling of lending a helping hand, no matter how big or small."

The troops that lived in the Air Force's tent city included U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy as well as Australians and civilian personnel and were tasked with bringing donations of food, clothing, sanitary items, etc., to trade for gambling chips, said the Chief. "Once they got chips, it was all about choosing the game: Black Jack, Texas Hold'em, Tarantula Races, and more fun in the form of card playing.

"The three-hour event was a smashing hit," said the Chief.

All of the items donated and money raised went to the local orphanages that the Air Force personnel had visited - - and fell in love with the children.

The winnings of the night were 12 boxes of donated items, $190.00 dollars, plus 275 gourdes or Haitian monies.

Whether one won big or lost it all, leaving with a smile and the feeling of goodwill seemed to be the biggest reward of the night.

Editor's note: Command Chief Delebreau has been deployed to Haiti for 60 days to ensure the Airmen deployed there have what they need to help the Haitians get back on their feet. He's expected to be there until June 1, 2010.