Falcons, Care & Share both winners

  • Published
  • By Ann Patton
  • U.S. Air Force Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  While Air Force pounded Army on the field at Falcon Stadium Nov. 7, it was also a big win for the needy of Colorado Springs.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Academy coaches' wives, team captains, local media and Care & Share volunteers, football fans contributed 7,800 pounds of food, double the amount from last year, and $3,800 in cash donations on game day.

Shannon Coker, Care & Share events manager, said the group was deeply appreciative of the contributions.

"This is the third year, and it continues to gain better and greater support," she said. "The Academy is very philanthropic."
                 
Amanda Calhoun, wife of football head coach Troy Calhoun, took the lead on behalf of the wives for the food drive, said she felt the drive was very successful and was well in tune with the Combined Federal Campaign going on at the Academy.       

"I certainly hope that it continues to grow as, sadly, there is always a need for food for people who simply don't have enough to feed their families," she said.

Mrs. Calhoun praised KOAA Channels 5 and 30 for heading the media and promotional efforts.

Assistant athletic director of development Nancy Hixson said planning the event takes between two to three months to coordinate but added the outcome of the event was well worth the effort.

"The event was an amazing success for Air Force athletics and Care & Share," she said.
 
"The volunteers were over the moon with the amount of money and food items collected."
Care & Share has moved into its new home at 2605 Preamble Point near the intersection of Constitution Ave. and Powers Blvd., and the need for donations is up.

"Our demand has grown 35 percent from last year," Ms. Coker said.

The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. - Fri. to accept donations of non-perishable food items. Care & Share also accepts non-perishable pet food items.