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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Michael Watts, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, gets his haircut during the fundraising event “Operation Baldy Bash” Oct. 11 at a base in Southwest Asia. The fundraiser, which raised more than $500, will go towards education, training and awareness programs for families that have children with disabilities. Sergeant Watts is deployed from the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Col. Marcia Meeks-Eure, 386th Mission Support Group commander, prepares to cut the hair off Staff Sgt. Matt Tumelson, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron during the fundraising event “Operation Baldy Bash” Oct. 11 at a base in Southwest Asia. The fundraiser, which raised more than $500, will go towards education, training and awareness programs for families that have children with disabilities.

Airmen give back in Operation Baldy Bash

Published Oct. 16, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Tindol
386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing gathered at the base fire station on Oct. 11 to help raise money for children with disabilities. They organized a head-shaving fundraiser to help support Nevada Professionals Empowering Parents, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening support for families of disabled children and raising community awareness.

More than 50 Airmen from multiple squadrons from the 386th AEW came out to support this cause. Altogether, the 386th AEW has raised over $500 in the fundraiser "Operation Baldy Bash," adding to the P.E.P's robust $35,000 fundraising effort.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards education, training and awareness programs for families that have children with disabilities all across the country.

Operation Baldy Bash inspired a P.E.P Las Vegas fundraising event on Oct. 13 at the Hard Rock Hotel. Photographs taken during the fundraiser were proudly displayed.

"The rooms were packed," said Stephanie Vrsnik, P.E.P Community Development director. "The round of applause was unreal and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. And everyone was so impressed with Operation Baldy Bash. All of you are our true heroes.

"I can't tell you how much it means to us," she said.