Senior Airman Heather Torres has a heavy heart.

She, along with 25 other Joint Base Lewis-McChord Servicemembers, assisted wheelchair-bound seniors and veterans from the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting on Sept. 20 at the Puyallup Fair.

Their volunteer efforts allowed people like Arla Willoughby of Tacoma to take in the sights, sounds and food at the state's largest fair.

Torres, 24, a member of the 62nd Medical Squadron, paired up with Willoughby, and the two toured the fairgrounds together for several hours.

"I'm happy to be able to take her to see this since she hasn't been here before," Torres said.  "It's a good experience."

Willoughby, 85, said it was nice of Torres to lend a helping hand. They enjoyed each other's company and exchanged light-hearted jokes while wandering around the fairgrounds. Torres said it reminded her of spending time with her grandmother.

"It gives me that sense of family," she said. "It fills that need."

Torres, who came to McChord Field about a year ago, volunteered her time in March when she helped prepare and serve meals at the Tacoma Rescue Mission homeless shelter. Before that, she took part in Meals on Wheels, delivering food to seniors throughout the community at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

She said helping people out broadens your perspective in life, "because you experience different people's backgrounds and gain insight on where they come from."

The Washington Soldiers Home in Orting is one of three homes built for the state's veterans. It provides a resident-centered care concept that focuses resources around the individual resident. The home serves 240 residents needing skilled nursing care, according to the Washington State Department of Veterans website.

Photo: Senior Airman Heather Torres, a member of the 62nd Medical Squadron at McChord Field, shares a moment with Arla Willoughby of Tacoma Sept. 20 at the Puyallup Fair. Torres, along with 25 other Joint Base Lewis-McChord Servicemembers, assisted wheelchair-bound seniors and veterans from the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting.