Softball tournament helps Gunfighters in need Published Aug. 4, 2009 By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Gunfighters and community members forged new friendships while raising money for Operation Warmheart during a softball tournament July 31 through Aug. 2. Seventeen teams signed up for the tournament after paying a fee of $150 along with a donation of diapers. While some teams featured all military members, many included civilian participants from the Gunfighter and local communities. Family and friends began gathering around the playing fields with snacks and sleeping bags hours before the tournament began July 31 while teams prepared to compete. The tournament started 6 p.m. with a new game starting every 60 to 90 minutes and teams playing through the night until noon Aug. 1 to determine their seeding in the double elimination bracket, which started at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 after a homerun derby at 2 p.m. The championship game came down to Thrifty's Shake 'n Bake and the 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Ammo "A" team, with Thrifty's Shake 'n Bake taking the win for the third year in a row. The final score was 11-5. The tournament raised more than $2,500 along with the diaper donations with all proceeds directly benefiting Gunfighters in need. "It was a great tournament and the largest we ever had," said Master Sgt. Darryl Ross, 366th EMS. "We had a great time. Operation Warmheart -- run by the first sergeants council and other committee members -- helps military families when times get tough financially. Through recommendations from supervisors or first sergeants, the committee can immediately provide items such as food or diapers to families facing these hardships. "Our major goal each year is to provide families in need with turkeys and the fixings for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals," said Sergeant Ross. "We also conduct an Angel Tree program just for the children to ensure all Gunfighter children have at least one nice Christmas gift under the tree. These programs greatly assist and bring the spirit of the holidays to military families during the holidays." While their target group is enlisted families with children, Operation Warmheart also assists many junior and senior noncommissioned officers. But none of this is possible without money collected from fundraisers like the Operation Warmheart. "Operation Warmheart has no budget from which to draw funds," said Sergeant Ross. "The sole source of funding is accomplished through fundraisers conducted by first sergeants; donations from squadrons, booster clubs and local community businesses and a dedicated group of individuals from the Silvercrest II retirement community in Nampa, Idaho, who share in our concern to help our own. We also receive donations from things like small bake sales, major car washes and softball tournaments. Contributors have always seen a return of the funds in assistance to families within their units throughout the year." Operation Warmheart raises about $20,000 between first sergeant, fundraisers and community business donations and spends more than $16,000 a year to provide families in need with turkeys and fixings for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Money also benefits its Angel Tree program, which buys gifts for children during the holiday season. To learn more about the program or volunteer opportunities, contact any first sergeant.