EADS Volunteers Support Local Red Kettle Drive Published Jan. 14, 2011 By Tim Jones Eastern Air Defense Sector Rome, N.Y. -- More than 40 volunteers from the Eastern Air Defense Sector braved the wind, cold and occasional lake effect snow squall last Wednesday to ring the bell for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle drive at Rome's Walmart Supercenter. The oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind, the drive raises money for toys, food, clothing and social service programs in local communities around the country. "I'm pleased that so many of our Air Guardsmen volunteer their personal time to support community efforts," said Col. John Bartholf, EADS Commander. "Many of our Guardsmen live in the Rome area and volunteering is one of the ways they demonstrate their commitment to the local community." The volunteer effort was coordinated by EADS First Sergeant, SMSgt Laurie Stafford. The volunteers, dressed in civilian clothes, worked in one-hour shifts for 12 hours and raised $915, up from the $850 collected during last year's volunteer effort, Stafford said. Maj. Leonard Boynton, the Salvation Army Rome Corps commander, said its goal for this holiday season is $65,000. Volunteers are critical, Boynton added, noting that approximately 600 seasonal volunteers and 100 year-round volunteers support the Corps' efforts. The Eastern Air Defense Sector is headquartered at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Staffed by active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and a Canadian Forces detachment, the unit supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) integrated warning and attack assessment missions and the U.S. Northern Command's (USNORTHCOM) homeland defense mission. EADS is responsible for air sovereignty and counter-air operations over the eastern United States and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea.