By Benjamin Rothstein

DOVER — For many Dover Air Force Base airmen in need of specific health care, a limiting factor is not paying for the service itself but just getting to the best facility.

Because such sites are often in major cities like Wilmington or Philadelphia, a group of volunteers is aiming to help these patients with the Wheels to Wellness initiative.

The assistance could be anything from food to gas to lodging, as the advocates distribute donated gift cards to the airmen. Participants tend to be in the Air Force’s lowest pay grades.

Wheels to Wellness is managed through Operation Warm Heart Dover, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military members and their families at the base.

Honorary Cmdr. Alumni Joe Yacyshyn wrote a letter to other honorary commanders describing the process.

“Requests for assistance will be reviewed, selected, and processed through the First Sergeants (Council at Dover Air Force Base). Once a need has been approved by (base) medical, it is forwarded to MSgt Colin Malcolm. He will coordinate the review process through the First Sergeant’s Council,” he wrote.

He also ensured that privacy controls are in place and noted that base personnel are not allowed to ask the community for support. That’s why the initiative must be promoted by outside organizations and other individuals, like the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber president Dr. Dina Vendetti explained further.

“The people who come to the First Sergeants, they’ll tell them what their deals are and why they need what they need. It’ll be up to their discretion to give them an appropriate amount of money or not, but it’s very anonymous.”

She added that Wheels to Wellness got its start in April, but organizers are working hard to get the word out.

Contributions can be sent to Dover First Sergeant Council, 442 13th St., Dover AFB, DE 19902. Donations can also be made via PayPal by selecting “Dover Giving Fund” at linktr.ee/doverafbowh.