Bowl-A-thon raises money for Air Force Enlisted Village

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Altus AFB Top-3 and Chiefs' Group professional organizations hosted a Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser, which raised $2,143 for the Air Force Enlisted Village, at Galaxy Lanes Feb. 22.

According to www.afenlistedwidows.org, The AFEV was founded in 1967 after the Air Force Sergeant's Association conducted a survey and found more than 50,000 widows of enlisted men were living in poverty. The goal was to provide a home for surviving spouses of enlisted Air Force members. The Foundation was incorporated in Washington, D. C., in 1968 and granted federal tax-exempt status as a nonprofit corporation in 1971. The Village was recognized as an official Air Force charity in 1973.

"We have been doing [the Bowl-A-thon] fundraiser at Altus now for at least five years with donations increasing each year," said Tech. Sgt. Randy Kay, 55th Air Refueling Squadron and event point of contact. "The base responds with great enthusiasm for these types of fundraisers, because they know it's for a good cause."

Sergeant Kay said that even though Master Sgt. Darrin McClure, 97th Air Mobility Wing Plans and Programs, and he were the event's organizers, the fundraiser wouldn't have been a success without base participation, dedicated volunteers and the professional organizations.

Those who wish to donate money to the AFEV and to other groups may do so during the Air Force Aid campaign, beginning at a date to be announced.