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McConnell Airmen host 'Big for a Day' event

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Despite originating from various backgrounds, cities and age groups, McConnell's Airmen bridged the gap and bonded with more than 60 boys and girls from the community Big Brothers Big Sisters program during a visit to the base Aug. 5, 2010.

The annual event, "Big For A Day," was sponsored by the 349th Air Refueling Squadron and provided the children an opportunity to experience McConnell firsthand while also allowing them to develop long-lasting bonds with Airmen stationed here.

Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters helps boys and girls, most of whom are considered at risk and live in single parent homes, achieve their full potential through long-term personal relationships with carefully screened and caring volunteers.

"This is a real hands-on event," said Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Our Airmen can really make a difference in some little's life and their interaction today will be the start of it."

The event also provided Airmen an opportunity to experience the roles and responsibilities of a "big."

"We had 14 Airmen sign up after the 2009 Big for a Day," said 1st Lt. Jason Steinlicht, 349th ARS pilot. "This event allows military personnel to see what it's like to have a little for a day."

While at McConnell, the "littles" were matched with Air Force bigs. The Airmen and their littles visited a variety of locations and events at McConnell including a hangar on the flightline, a KC-135 Stratotanker, a robot from the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit used to detect and disarm bombs and a military working dog demonstration by the 22nd Security Forces Squadron.

"It's really fun for them and the kids get really excited when they get to see the plans," said Kristina Blanck, Big Brother Big Sisters volunteer intake specialist. "McConnell is one of our favorite [contributors] because of all the work they do for us in coordinating these events."

The day concluded with a trip to the base fishing pond to work one-on-one in a variety of activities including fishing, archery and paintball.

This part of the event was a favorite for young Caden Hollee.

"My favorite part of the day was fishing," he said. "I caught five fish including a sun fish."

The excitement expressed by the littles emphasized one of the main goals of the day.

The day not only provided the littles with a chance to tour McConnell and interact with its Airmen, it also opened their eyes to opportunities they might not have known were available to them.

"This event not only shows these kids what we do every day, it also allows us the chance to give them the best day possible," said Lt. Col. Andre Briere, 349th ARS commander. "It also allows the Airmen to get exposed to what it's really like to be a big."

McConnell has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters for more than 30 years and is one of Kansas' largest contributors to the program. In 2009, McConnell was recognized as one of Wichita's leading Big Brothers Big Sisters supporters and as a top five supporter nationally.