The Big Give gets even bigger

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Holloman's Big Give project is back and better than before with double the prize money up for grabs. It is not too late to make a difference - registration ends July 3. 

Ms. Amanda Gallagher, 49th Force Support Squadron marketing director, inspired by Oprah's Big Give, brought the project to Holloman and surrounding areas last year. 

It is true that the $10,000 grand prize may be enough incentive for many people to sign up for this year's Big Give project, but the real reward is gratification and self-fulfillment of changing someone's life, Ms. Gallagher said. 

"I believe that everybody has a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This an opportunity to be a part of an adventure, part of a story, part of something larger that yourself, and be rewarded for it," she said."Even though there will only be one $10,000 winner, there won't be a single team that will walk away disappointed."

Last year, more than 150 Team Holloman members volunteered their time, ideas and services to make life better for the local community.

The HouseBusters team from the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron Booster Club donated time and services to the Step House, a home for recovering alcoholics. 

"It feels good to be able to make some kind of difference in the lives of others," said Airman 1st Class Krista Lawrence, a member of the team. "The Big Give was only half the reward. Seeing the results and how we affected the lives of others was just as rewarding."

The team reconditioned the house from top to bottom, added lighting in dark areas, installed new carpet, linoleum and ceiling fans. They also repainted the walls and rewired the electrical lines throughout the house. The team won the $5,000 grand prize and the People's Choice award.

"My favorite thing about the HouseBusters is they took skills that the Air Force taught them and applied [those skills] to the community," Ms. Gallagher said. "There are people on this base who have some amazing talents, so it's pretty phenomenal when they can use these talents outside of work." 

Every Team Holloman member has a talent or gift that can be used to support the community through the Big Give project, Ms. Gallagher said. Teams of people working together and using their gifts to pay it forward is what the project is all about. 

Teams of 15 people document the planning, execution and completion of their project. After three weeks of work, teams are awarded points on creativity, teamwork, quality and overall impact. A grand prize winner is awarded $10,000 and a People's Choice winner is awarded $500, which is determined by votes at the after-party event. 

Desert Suns Toyota and Desert Suns Motors in Alamogordo donated the prize money again for the second year in a row.

Registration is $35, and the deadline is July 3. The official kick-off is at 11 a.m., July 17 at the Raptor's Nest. The teams must submit projects by Aug. 6. The winner will be announced at the after-party Aug. 7. 

To register or submit ideas, log on to www.HollomansBigGive.com or access the website through www.hollomanfss.com and find the Big Give link. 

For more information contact Ms. Gallagher at (575) 572-5597.