917th Wing Memorial Foundation to throw holiday fundraiser

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Crystal MK Jordan
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --  The 917th Wing Memorial Foundation at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., plans to throw a winter fundraiser at Adam's, a lounge located in the Holiday Inn in Bossier, La. December 5 from 9 pm to 1 am.

There is a five dollar fee due at the door with entertainment and refreshments available for purchase throughout the night. All entrance fees collected will be donated by Adam's and will go towards the scholarships that the foundation will award next summer.

The foundation awards two scholarships each year to a 917th Wing member, spouse or child who is enrolled as a full time student.

The scholarships are given in remembrance and celebration of Chief Master Sgt. Cheryl Denson, a former chief of education and training at the 917th Wing.

Sergeant Denson passed away on September 13, 2001, after battling breast cancer for over 18 months.

Sergeant Denson regularly volunteered in the community surrounding Barksdale while in and out of uniform, always representing the unit with pride, said Master Sgt. Lenka Isaac, chief of career enhancement in the 917th Wing.

The scholarships given in Sergeant Denson's name are awarded to individuals who demonstrate the same type of passion, integrity and devotion to both our nation's mission and community outreach she displayed day to day.

Applicants must compose an essay on a provided topic and the essays are later voted on by the foundation's six board members.

In the past eight years, the 917th Memorial Foundation has given out 16 scholarships and donated to the Providence House, a residential development center for homeless families with children. The foundation has also donated to Santas in Blues, a base-sponsored program on Barksdale, which allows Airmen to sponsor underprivileged foster children during the holiday season.

"This is an important program," Sergeant Isaac said. "Chief Denson was constantly looking for a way to give back to the people. This program allows us to keep giving back for her."