Keesler generosity brings comfort to assault victims Published Nov. 6, 2007 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Keesler's compassion is making personal tragedies a little more bearable for sexual assault victims along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Thanks to a drive initiated by 2nd Lt. Stephanie Lutz, deputy sexual assault response coordinator, 131 "comfort bags" were donated to the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence, an agency that provides services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and their families. Each bag contains clothing, toiletries and other items that have been taken to seven area emergency rooms where rape victims receive initial treatment. In addition to $2,000 in cash donations, the base's sexual assault prevention and response office collected tote bags and back packs, toiletries, T-shirts and sweat pants in different sizes, flip flops, underwear, notebooks, pens and personal care items from groups and individuals across the base and in surrounding communities. Keesler volunteers assembled the bags, and a truckload of excess supplies was donated to the center for use by temporary residents or for future needs. "People gave not just money and supplies, but their time to assemble the bags," Liz Waters, Keesler's sexual assault response coordinator, pointed out. The response to Keesler's efforts has been heartwarming, said Lieutenant Lutz. "A nurse from Ocean Springs Hospital told me at a recent Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team meeting that the bags have been a great help already," the lieutenant remarked. "She told me it's hard to find the needed clothes and hygiene articles, and now they're all in one place. The victims have some dignity now." "This is a wonderful project," remarked Mary Buffing-ton, volunteer coordinator at the women's center. "People often don't realize what victims go through. To be able to give them clean clothes and let them feel like a person again, instead of a statistic, is a very compassionate gift of hope." Col. Richard Pierce, 81st Training Wing vice commander, recognized Team Keesler for its generous response to the project. "That level of compassion combined with the understanding of the need to provide support to sexual assault victims was truly unparalleled," the colonel said. "We thank everyone for going above and beyond."