ALAMOGORDO, N.M. -- Teams from Holloman Air Force Base were presented with awards for participating in the Casa Big Give at Casa Toyota, August 03, 2026.
Hosted by Casa Auto Group, the Big Give is an annual initiative that allows Holloman service members and their families to provide aid to local businesses and strengthen bonds between the base and community.
The event brought together 214 volunteers from 19 teams who contributed 3,600 hours of labor, generating an estimated $160,000 in savings on supplies and labor, helping local organizations reduce costs and avoid millions of dollars in contracting and operational expenses.
“Everyone who has lived in Alamogordo and Otero County for a long time has been impacted by the Big Give,” said Brandon Burling, Casa Auto Group general manager. “When the Big Give comes around and everyone is wearing their Big Give shirts, you get the community offering to help donate or pay for items as a token of appreciation.”
After the event concluded, teams presented their work to judges. The event divided teams into two categories: small teams with five or fewer volunteers, and large teams, consisting of 6-15 members.
The 29th Attack Squadron won the People’s Choice award. The 29th ATKS revitalized and restored buildings downtown Alamogordo through construction and painting.
The 314th Fighter Squadron won the Small Team award for their efforts in identifying unmarked graves while also restoring and cleaning the Tularosa Cemetery.
The final winner was the 49th Equipment Maintenance Squadron who took home the Large Team award for their efforts in redecking the Alamogordo Zoo aviary.
“It’s a show of appreciation to our host town for supporting us for so many decades,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Hayden Meek, 29th Attack Squadron MQ-9 instructor pilot. “It allows Airmen to go out in the community and meet different people while forming life-lasting bonds and builds the community’s trust in what we do.”