Academy staff, cadets support Waldo Canyon fire restoration fundraiser

  • Published
  • By Ray Bowden
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Airmen and cadets from the Air Force Academy lent their volunteer support to a colorful Colorado Springs event, the fourth annual Waldo Waldo 5K, Oct. 17.

The annual fundraiser raised money for local nonprofits that support Waldo Canyon restoration, disaster relief, fire recovery and trail and open space maintenance in the Colorado Springs community. Participants wear red and white striped Waldo or Wenda costumes, based on the clothing worn by characters in the popular "Where's Waldo" children's book series.

The event started and ended at the Colorado Springs Pioneer museum, with several sponsor booths and refreshment stands set up on the museum's lawn.

"When our community outside the Academy thinks community support, we want them to think about Academy cadets," said Maj. Martin Poon, air officer commanding of Cadet Squadron 15. "Our cadets are eager to get off campus and support their community. The Waldo Waldo 5K was a great chance for the cadets to do something positive in the wake of one of Colorado Spring's largest disasters and serve others."

The Academy's just-more than 4,000 cadets average 30,000 volunteer hours annually, Poon said.

"They're involved in hundreds of volunteer events each year but I have to say the Waldo Waldo 5K was definitely one of the most colorful volunteer events I've seen."

Cadets 4th Class Richard King and Molly Olmos, Cadets 3rd Class Aspen Sulte and Vicky Rodriguez and Cadet 2nd Class Hannah Wilken directed traffic and runners. Cadet 4th Class Morgan Geneste recruited bone-marrow donors.

"Personally, I think that the race was great," Rodriguez said. "Some of us volunteered last year and were also able to run. To do this again was fun. When I mention in the squadron that we need volunteers, I tell them this race is to help the community."

Several Academy staff members supported the fundraiser, including Tech. Sgt. Elaine Nelson, the NCO in charge of the Academy's command section, and her family. Nelson was accompanied during the race by her 7-year-old son, Jordan.

"[The Academy] is more than just an institution," she said. "We want to have a positive effect on the community and contribute in any way we can. It was a very fun event and I'm happy to have been a part of it."

Rodriguez said Academy cadets are a windfall to the local community when it comes to community support.

"We may not have a lot of time due to our hectic, busy schedules, but there is never a shortage of volunteers," she said. "We all want to contribute in some way, shape or form."