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Diamond Dash provides holiday support

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – About 50 runners take off for their choice of a 5- or 10-kilometer run during the Diamond Dash here Sept. 27. The event, hosted by Fairchild’s first sergeants, raises money for Operation Warm Heart, a program that provides meals to Airmen over the holidays. Master Sgt. Douglas Crossen, 92nd Communications first sergeant, said the shirts chose to raise funds with a run because it also “promotes fitness, esprit de corps, morale and welfare throughout the wing.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chad Watkins)

Diamond Dash provides holiday support

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – 2nd Lt. John LeGloahec from the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron took the first place ribbon at the Diamond Dash here Sept. 27. The event raised money for Operation Warm Heart, a program that provides meals to enlisted families experiencing financial difficulties over the holidays. Fairchild first sergeants hosted the Dash, and plan to make the run an annual event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chad Watkins)

Diamond Dash provides holiday support

Published Oct. 2, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash -- Promoting fitness and helping others ... These were the themes of Fairchild's Diamond Dash Sept. 27. Base first sergeants hosted the 5- and 10-kilometer dash, which raised money for Operation Warm Heart, a program that will help Airmen throughout the upcoming holiday months.

"Operation Warm Heart provides meals throughout the holidays to those families that may be experiencing financial difficulties," said Master Sgt. Douglas Crossen, 92nd Communications first sergeant, who has been involved with Warm Heart in past years. "Each year we spend several thousand dollars at Thanksgiving and Christmas to provide these meals."

Sergeant Crossen said any extra money from the fundraiser carries into the next year, increasing the amount first sergeants can use to help Airmen. All of the money "goes back to the enlisted force; we don't spend any money on ourselves," he said.

Of course, the money raised at such events comes from the participants. About 50 runners signed up for the Diamond Dash. One runner said the event is a great way to pair his love for running and fitness with a desire to help fellow servicemembers.

"We're a big community - the entire military, not just the Air Force," said 2nd Lt. John LeGloahec of the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron. "Any chance we get to help each other out, I'm all about that; I think this is a great opportunity."

This is Fairchild's first Dash, but plans are already underway to make the run an annual event.