____________________________________________________________________________________________
Not all of our military heroes are oceans away...
PRESS RELEASE:
Bridgeport, Texas, May 14,
2007 - The Center for Animal Research and
Education (CARE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and
preservation of big cat species from around the world. CARE had the
pleasure of welcoming approximately 50 members of the Air Force community
this week, who spent the entire day helping with these magnificent animals.
The members of the 80th Operation Support Squadron, under the
command of the 80th Flying Training Wing, are based out of Sheppard Air
Force Base in Wichita Falls and led by Captain Tomas Wolfe and Master
Sergeant Gil De La Cerda.
This exceptional group of airmen and women provided much-needed elbow grease
and muscle to complete some larger maintenance projects. Activities
included habitat repair, construction, landscaping and cleaning, as well as
facilities improvements. One critical project was laying tons of sod and
soil in the enclosure of one of CARE'S most exotic tenants, a rare snow
leopard named Arctic. The Texas heat creates a significant challenge for
Arctic, but the sod will keep her habitat much cooler.
The squadron also hosted a "Burger Burn" fundraiser and donated the proceeds
to CARE. "The surprise donation is wonderful and will help offset the
incredible cost of housing the 54 big cats who call CARE their home," says
Heidi Berry, Executive Director of CARE, who thanked the men and women for
all of their hard work.
They continue to make a difference wherever they go. This special group of
men and women has repeatedly taken on challenges in local community service.
Other projects include Christmas in Action, Special Olympics, and Rely for
Life.