2019 Alamo’s Big Give

Photo By Master Sgt. BreeAnn Sachs | Members of team Helpful Hawks accept a check for winning the 3rd place in the large team category as part of the 2019 Alamo’s Big Give closing ceremony, August 22, at the Willie Estrada Civic Center in Alamogordo, N.M. This was the 12th year of Alamo’s Big Give which has saved the Otero community over $2,000,000 through community service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. BreeAnn Sachs)  

ALAMOGORDO, NM, UNITED STATES

08.22.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. BreeAnn Sachs 

49th Wing

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. --
The 12th annual Alamo’s Big Give ended with a closing ceremony August 22, 2019, at the Willie Estrada Civic Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Alamo’s Big Give is an annual event hosted by the 49th Force Support Squadron and supported by businesses in the local Otero community. This year boasted savings to the community in excess of $200,000 through 4,800 hours of community service. Twenty-four teams comprised of active duty and civilian Airmen, their dependents and retirees completed projects over a 30-day period with the hopes of winning over $10,000 in prize money.

“There’s a lot of passion in what you did and most importantly the outcomes and the beautification efforts are truly amazing,” said Col. Joseph Campo, 49th Wing commander. “I just want to say thank you very much from me, not only as the wing commander, but as a man who has a family and is a part of this community. Every one of those projects was special and I appreciate the efforts that went into them.”

The 49 WG shares a unique bond with their surrounding community, and Alamo’s Big Give is just one of many annual events dedicated to beautifying the local area and assisting residents in need.

“I am still stunned at what I saw -- what you’ve brought to this community,” said G.B. Oliver, interim CEO of the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce. “It’s very touching what you’ve all brought, the value you bring to this community and most importantly, you’ve made us better people just through the association with you.”

Over the last 12 Big Give events, the Holloman AFB community has saved the Otero community over $2,000,000 through their selfless contributions, and that number will continue to grow as the Holloman AFB community hosts more Big Give events.

A full list of winners is below:

People’s choice category: The Helpful Hawks who refurbished the Oddfellows Hall

Small team category: The Cool Cacti who beautified Imago Dei Academy

3rd place large team category: The Helpful Hawks

2nd place large team category: The ACE Nighthawks who beautified the Boys and Girls Club of Alamogordo

1st place large team category: The Knights Unleashed who beautified the Monte Vista Cemetery

• Date Taken: 08.22.2019
• Date Posted: 08.23.2019 12:34
• Story ID: 337084
• Location: ALAMOGORDO, NM, US