News

Community brings holiday cheer to dormitories

  • Published
  • By Charles J. Haymond
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

Volunteers from the Bellevue-Offutt community gathered together to assemble gift bags Dec. 6 at the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department as part of Operation Holiday Cheer.


The bags, filled with an assortment of food, cards and more, are delivered to service members living in Offutt’s dormitories.


The event was founded by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and has grown significantly over the years. Local businesses donate all of the contents used to fill the bags.


More than 30 volunteers worked together in an assembly line to fill approximately 500 bags.


“Bellevue is a very patriotic community,” said Lisa Wilson, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce vice president of membership and development. “Our staff and members want to do something to make the holidays a little brighter for those who are away from home during the holidays.” 


Scattered among the local community volunteers were a handful of Offutt leadership.


“The community here is so wonderful,” said Col. Sherrie LaVan, 55th Wing vice commander. “Year after year, people help out with this event and it is always for the benefit of our young service members. We couldn’t do what we do at Offutt without the community support. The fact that they think about our dorm residents this time of year is extremely generous.”


Operation Holiday Cheer is only one example of the annual Bellevue Chamber of Commerce events that benefit Team Offutt. To get involved with their program, contact Lisa Wilson at Lisa@bellevuenebraska.com


Their next event is the Bellevue Offutt Rising Professional's Ugly Holiday Sweater Party Dec. 7 at Rising View’s The Pointe.