Seventh Air Force volunteers make kimchi for less fortunate Published Nov. 25, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher 7th Air Force Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- More than 50 members of the 7th Air Force Airpower Team joined with 200 Korean volunteers to make kimchi for the less fortunate in the parking garage of the Pyongtaek City Hall Nov. 23. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made of fermented vegetables mixed with spices. The volunteer opportunity was arranged by Mr. Choi, Yoon Soo, the 7th AF/A2 honorary commander. "The goal for this event is to produce a mass product of kimchi, however much 250 people can make in a few hours, and have this kimchi distributed to the local population in need," said 1st Lt. Matthew Demars, 7th AF/A2 volunteer coordinator for this event. Volunteers were given hats, gloves, masks and aprons then shown to a table where hundreds of heads of cabbage and bags of pepper paste awaited them. The paste had to be rubbed into every leaf of cabbage before being bagged, boxed, stacked and shipped to refrigerators for fermentation before delivery. One of the volunteers took the opportunity to express his thanks to the local community for the chance to give something back. "Our Korean counterparts are great hosts with the same goals ... giving of ourselves to help those less fortunate," said Brig. Gen. Russell Mack, 7th AF vice commander to the crowd. "Events such as these reinforce the great relationships we have as friends and good neighbors within the community." The chance to give something back to the Pyongtaek community is the driving force behind the volunteer effort, said Demars. "We've built a great alliance and relationship with the ROK over the past 60 years, but it's important to do more than just sustain it," he said. "Every event like this is a small step to continue to grow and build on our relationship."