Airmen donate to Joplin relief effort Published June 4, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Rhonda Brown 139th Airlift Wing ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- More than double the amount of expected free-will donations were collected from those passing through the front gate of the 139th Air National Guard Base here May 27. "The day we did this drive was the day before a three day holiday, and many people were off that day so with that taken into consideration, I was hoping for $500.00," said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Dillon, 139th Maintenance. A total of $1007.02 was collected and donated to the American Red Cross, marked directly for the Joplin relief effort. Donation buckets and Red Cross vests were arranged for use at the front gate. "About ten people emptied their ashtray full of pennies into our buckets," Dillon said. "We had someone donate $200.00."