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Silver Wings donates $23,500 to charities
Silver Wings, the community-based group that helped finance this year's airshow on base, has donated almost all of its profits, $23,500 back to the community.
Leaving only $5,000 for seed money for the next airshow, the group gave 32 base and town organizations checks to continue or expand their projects.
The checks were handed out by members of the Silver Wings executive board, headed by Alan Bermensolo, during the airbase's annual tree-lighting ceremony Friday.
"We are so proud to be partnered with the Air Force -- warriors and patriots together," Bermensolo told the crowd at the ceremony.
Bermensolo explained that, having learned lessons from the 2000 airshow, this year Silver Wings had made sure everything was paid for before Gunfighter Skies 2003 kicked off. What was left over, plus the organization's cut from the sales of concessions during the airshow, the group returned to the community in the form of charitable donations.
"That was always our intent, and part of our charter with the Air Force," Bermensolo said.
He said he believed it was the largest amount ever handed out locally by any civic/philanthropic organization raising the money in a single year or event.
Some of the money raised went to the volunteers from base who helped put on the airshow and run the concessions, the funds going back into the squadrons to pay for squadron events and charities. But the $13,300 sent directly back to the volunteers was not part of the $23,500 handed out last week. Wing organizations received $7,852, while the rest went to organizations in town.
Highlighting the donations, Bermensolo said, was $4,000 to establish a scholarship fund for MHHS graduates.
Youth and youth support organizations received 34 percent of the total funds distributed. They included the Cub Scout Pack 102 Blue and Gold Banquet, MHAFB Child Development Center, Mountain Home Recreation Department Team Sponsorships, MHHS Senior Celebration, Youth Action Council, El-Wyhee Community Action Coalition, and the RSVP/America Reads Childhood Literacy Program.
Thirty percent of the total went to community support organizations, including the Domestic Violence Council, Elmore County Historical Museum, MHAFB Honor Guard Association, Citizens on Patrol, Mountain Home Arts Council, Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department, Mountain Home Animal Shelter, Senior Citizens Center, DIG-IT Committee, Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Elmore County Rescue, Elmore Medical Center Foundation, Euskal Lagunak Association (for cultural development), Elmore County Hispanic Organization Dance Troupe, and the Zeta B Civic Group.
Charitable and Volunteer Organizations received 36 percent of the total. Checks went to the Gunflghter Attic, Operation Warm Heart, 2003 Airman's Cookie Drive, Cheer Basket Program, Giving Tree Program, MHAFB First Sergeants Association, MHAFB Chief's Group, Idaho National Guard Airman's Assistance Program, MHAFB Family Support Center, and Airmen Against Drunk Driving.
Col. Blair Hansen, the wing commander, thanked Silver Wings on behalf of the Gunfighers, saying, "you don't just talk, you walk the walk.... You have truly blessed us. Thanks for being such great patriots."