Team Holloman to give 'Blood, Sweat & Tears' during Big Give 2010

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Members of Holloman are teaming up once again to participate in what one sponsor has called the "greatest" money they've ever spent, but ask anyone whose participated in the past and they will tell you -- it's not about the money.

Airmen and civilians of Team Holloman are prepared to give "Blood, Sweat and Tears" to make a life-changing impact on the community during this year's Big Give, set to kick off July 14.

"This year's theme is 'Give Blood, Give Sweat, Give Tears, Give BIG'," said Amanda Gallagher, 49th Force Support Squadron marketing director and Big Give creator. "Last year we saw a lot of teams pour their heart and soul into people and projects; it was inspiring and tiring. Big Give and the theme is just the idea; but it's the people who breathe life into it."

Ms. Gallagher, inspired by Oprah's Big Give, brought the project to Holloman and surrounding areas in 2008. Since it began, 23 teams have put in over 8,000 hours of work in the Tularosa Basin and have earned $18,000 in prize money.

The prize money up for grabs this year totals $10,000 -- $7,500 for the overall winner and $2,500 for the small team winner, a newly-created category for two to four members who aim to complete small projects in the local community.

"The past two years I've seen a lot of smaller projects that were amazing and incredibly impactful, but I think they fell into the shadow of some other larger projects. So that's why we wanted to give smaller teams an opportunity to play with equal chance of winning a prize," Ms. Gallagher said.

Another new element of the 2010 Big Give is the opportunity for teams to rally votes from around the globe.

"This year we are also partnering with Desert DJ's to do a text vote for People's Choice award," explained Ms. Gallagher. "We've put a day in between project and announcement of a winner so we're going to upload projects to our Web site and give people a chance to text in their vote."

In the past, Big Give participants have come up with life-changing projects, big and small -- from putting backpacks together for children in foster homes to restoring an entire home or non profit organization.

"Do you realize how many talents, skills and passions are here on Holloman? There's nothing that can't be done when people pool their resources and expertise for a common goal," Ms. Gallagher said.

Each team will document the planning, execution and completion of their project, and after three weeks of work, they will be awarded points based on creativity, teamwork, quality and overall impact. Judging will begin August 5, followed by an After Party August 6 where the winner's will be announced.

Desert Suns Toyota and Desert Suns Motors in Alamogordo donated the prize money again for the third year in a row, and numerous sponsors are supporting teams and other Big Give events. A complete list of sponsors can be found on the official Big Give Web site.

The kick-off event is scheduled for 10 a.m., July 14 at the Raptor's Nest, where Big Give officials will do a pre-brief, hand out shirts and go over the rules.

For more information on the 2010 Big Give, visit www.hollomansbiggive.com or follow the teams on Facebook at www.facebook.com/holloman.biggive1.

No federal endorsement of sponsors intended.