Barksdale Airmen support local community event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  More than 60 Barksdale Airmen volunteered their time Aug. 27 at the Eldorado Casino in Shreveport, La., to help raise money for the Special Olympics.

"This is our largest event of the year," said Renee Starret, Northwest Louisiana Special Olympics area co-director who has participated in the event for the past four years of its eleven year history. "We are lucky to have such great support from Barksdale Airmen. They are always the first to show up and the last to leave."

Set up for the event began at 10 a.m. Airman 1st Class Travis Bulloch, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution, was one of the first to arrive.

"This was my first time volunteering for the Special Olympics," Bulloch said. "Helping to set up for the event was a very rewarding experience."

Doors opened to the public at 5:30 p.m. A silent auction, live auction and various trivia games took place throughout the evening.

In addition to the regular auction, the Special Olympics athletes created some of their own paintings to be auctioned off. The artwork was colorful and fun and added to the event's total profits of $44,000.

Lacey Dillman, Special Olympics volunteer, said she enjoys spending her time with the athletes.

"To see the smiles on their faces throughout the year makes all of our efforts worthwhile," Dillman said. "Their positive attitudes are sure to brighten up anyone's day."

The money raised at the event helps fund the athletes' travel expenses for numerous sporting events, including overseas travel. The money recently helped support an athlete who made it to the world games in Greece this past summer.

Eldorado donates the facilities, staff and food for the event every year. With their help and the support of volunteers and donations, the event is a huge success year after year for the organization, said Starret.

She is appreciative of the Barksdale community's support and can count on them whenever she needs volunteers, Starret said.

"All I have to do is send the information to my point of contact at Barksdale and within a day or two I have all of the volunteers I need," she said.

For additional information on how to help out the Special Olympics, visit laso.com or contact Renee Starret at starrece@gmail.com or 318-218-7547.