Groups provide support systems for D-M personnel, families
DM50 (dm50.org)
The nonprofit DM50, an invitation-only group with about 70 members, has raised more than $1 million for programs benefiting D-M airmen and their families in its 29 years.
Among the group’s events and programs are a popular all-day annual picnic for active and retired airmen and their families; D-M Day at a University of Arizona football game and tailgate event; and a car giveaway to military families.
With the Tucson Community Cares Foundation, the DM50 also sponsors Operation COPE, a semiannual program to help families of airmen deal with deployments, including social activities and marriage enrichment education.
The DM50 also has raised more than $100,000 for the Kachina Fund, a discretionary account directed by the D-M commander for projects that improve life on base. The fund has paid for new park ramadas, flowers for new mothers, and improvements at D-M’s Child Development Center such as a shade structure and protective matting.
Military Affairs Committee — Tucson Metro Chamber (tucsonchamber.org)
Tucson business leaders had much to do with D-M becoming a military base in the 1920s, when the chamber launched a military-affairs committee that still supports D-M. Its activities include:
- An annual
- “Thanksgiving Dorm Bash”
- to host airmen unable to travel home during the holidays.
- Right Start
- to welcome and brief newcomers, familiarizing them with Tucson and military-friendly businesses.
- Operation Otter Pop,
- which provides monthly donations of frozen juice pops, cold water, hot cocoa and baked goods.
- A holiday gift collection for deployed airmen and matching young, single airmen with local families.
Tucson Community Cares Foundation (tucsoncommunitycares.org)
Founded in 2007 by the local chapter of the Air Force Association, the DM50 and the Tucson Metro Chamber, the nonprofit foundation runs several programs to help deployed airmen and their families.
“Adopt-A-BAirman” provides teddy bears with voice-recording chips inside to help young children cope with a parent’s absence. Airmen record personal messages that play when the bear is squeezed.
Junior Expeditionary Force offers children of airmen a mock deployment, with educational experiences provided by military security forces, medical personnel, dining facilities, chapel, explosive ordnance, fire department and fitness activities in a tent city. When they return on a simulated flight, the kids enjoy a “welcome home” celebration with refreshments.
Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen’s Fund Send a Kid to Camp (azsendakidtocamp.org)
Since 2007, Send a Kid to Camp, funded mostly by donations from Arizona Daily Star readers, has paid for local children to go to weeklong, overnight Girl and Boy Scout and YMCA camps for free. This year, Triangle Y Ranch Camp in Oracle is one of 23 camp locations in 19 states to partner with Camp Corral and provide summer camp for military children. Children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members get priority. Send a Kid to Camp will pay for 75 Southern Arizona children to attend this camp from June 28 to July 3.
Camp Corral week is full, but the YMCA has openings during nearly every week of camp for children from military families whose guardian is an active service member. Interested families should call YMCA camp office manager Kim Wilson at 884-0987.
