OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- What began in mid-May and culminated at the beginning of August, took more than 100 Team Offutt volunteers and hundreds of hours of man-power.
Offutt hosted their second annual North Central Air Force Wounded Warrior CARE Event earlier this month which featured four days of adaptive sports, ambassador training and caregiver classes to name a few.
More than 90 Wounded Warriors and caregivers from all over the Midwest were in attendance. In order to make the event care-free and seamless for them, Team Offutt came together and worked tirelessly - a task they were happy to do.
“I am certain that the moral character of the people working to make this event happen was directly responsible for its success,” said Senior Airman Limairy Baskin, 55th Comptroller Squadron and project administrative lead. “Every single person involved was devoted to doing more than they were assigned. On several occasions, I witnessed team members go out of their way to help other members of this team complete their tasks. It was acts like these that confirmed to me just how dedicated we all were to making these wounded warriors feel welcomed.”
Although planning and coordination began in May, the physical set-up started July 28. Joining the 130 Offutt volunteers were 18 AFW2 staff members and 18 coaches. With them they brought five CONEX boxes of equipment and supplies – two were taken to the Base Lake and three to the Offutt Field House.
“The field house was exceptionally accommodating and very hands on in trying to make the Wounded Warriors comfortable,” Baskin said. “We couldn't have done this without them.”
After days of preparation, the event kicked-off and everyone’s hard work was put to the test.
“The AFW2 staff stated that ‘Offutt does it right,’” said Capt. Dan Howe, 55th Communications Group and project lead. “Each year that Offutt has had the opportunity to put on this event they have done it right and Offutt could be used as a model.”
Although the event took a lot of effort across the board, finding volunteers was easy.
“Anytime a request was sent out the Offutt community responded with more than enough support to tackle any task,” Howe said. “Those who serve on base and in the community were eager to get involved at any opportunity.”
Howe said for him, and many others, it was personal.
“Having a close friend severely wounded in combat I have personally seen the good that can come from events like the Wounded Warrior CARE event,” he said. “I was thrilled to take part in this year's CARE event and would be happy to do it again.”
Overall, the feedback from the team was unanimously positive.
“Being a part of this team was a fulfilling experience,” Baskin said. “I was able to participate in the entire process and see all of the e-mails, phone calls, and hard work this team put in turn into joy and camaraderie for the wounded warriors, caregivers, and volunteers alike.”