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Officers, shirts raise money for projects

  • Published
  • By Capt. Scott Hodges
  • 20th Fighter Wing Legal Office
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  For NASCAR fans, Darlington means the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway -- the only NASCAR race in South Carolina. If you’re a private organization, like the Company Grade Officer Council or the Diamond Council, it means huge fundraising opportunities. 

The Dodge Charger 500 NASCAR race May 13 was sold out, with more than 75,000 people attending the race. The Company Grade Officers sold food and drink to the multitude of fans for a percentage of the profits. 

Capt. Sharoiha Kanehailua, CGOC Secretary, said friends, family and Airmen provided helping hands as well. A total of 17 volunteers participated. 

2nd Lt. Gia Witmer, CGOC fundraising chairmen, was the primary force planning the operation. The CGOC started manning the concession stand around noon on Saturday and planned to sell refreshments until midnight. Ultimately, the fans outnumbered supplies and the food was gone by 9 p.m. The CGOC raised approximately $1300. 2nd Lt. J.C. Caldwell, CGOC President, said the funds will help worthy causes, such as Airman Leadership School graduations and its primary charity, the Disabled American Veterans. 

Airman 1st Class Phillip Bradford, 20th Fighter Wing, was one of the many volunteers representing the Shaw Diamond Council at Darlington. He estimated about 60 people helped out during the races. The Diamond Council ushered fans at the race by checking their tickets and showing them to their seat. 

One of the event organizers, Master Sgt. Jerry Hunnicutt, 20th Component Maintenance Squadron, said in exchange for its services, the Diamond Council received more than $5,000. They will use these funds to benefit base activities such as the Warm Heart program, Project Santa, council awards and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

 It was a successful weekend for the Dodge Charger 500 winner, Greg Biffle. But the private organizations from Shaw, and the many people they support, were also big winners.