HAP House and BOSC celebrate together Published Dec. 18, 2009 By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Barksdale Officer's Spouses Club hosted a holiday party for the clients of Handicapped Are Producers House at the HAP House facility Dec. 11. The HAP House is a non-profit organization that provides mentally and physically handicapped persons the chance to socialize and work for a living in a safe environment. "HAP House is an organization unique to Barksdale," said Mrs. Angie Basham, BOSC honorary advisor. "The clients come out and spend the day working and socializing while contributing to the base and earning a paycheck." In the spirit of the holiday season the BOSC raised funds to help give the men and women of HAP House a break to enjoy the season. Festivities included a lunch buffet, bingo and Christmas caroling. "We had a basket auction where we raised over $1,400," said Mrs. Basham. "We used that money to provide lunch and a gift for each of the clients. It is important for us in the officer's spouses club to give back to the community, especially to those members who support us as military families - this is one way we can help." Events like this give clients a sense of family, many do not have the means to be with their families during the holidays. "Many of the clients live in other facilities where they don't get the opportunity to go home," said Keisha Glover, HAP House executive director. "We try to make it a homey place to live and as normal as possible so they get the chance to enjoy the holidays like everyone else." Ms. Glover says that the holiday party and a visit from the BOSC is a highly anticipated event for the clients. "This is something that we do every year, and the clients love it," she said. "They look forward to it so much that when it's over they ask when the ladies from the officer's spouses club are coming back. The ladies do an absolutely wonderful job." When asked what their favorite part of the celebration was most of the clients exclaimed that meeting Santa was the highlight of their day - Mrs. Basham agrees. "My favorite part of today was watching the faces of all the clients as they were getting excited about seeing Santa, they took a lot of joy in it," she said. Airmen who are looking for a chance to give back this holiday season by donating their time are encouraged to contact the HAP House at 747-1919.