Holloman Airmen and community volunteers unite for 36th annual Day of Caring event
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — Service members from Holloman Air Force Base and community volunteers joined forces to rejuvenate homes and nonprofit facilities for the 36th annual Thrive in Southern New Mexico Day of Caring Sept. 18, 2026.
The event brought together 179 volunteers — 146 military personnel and 33 community members — to assist elderly and disabled residents in Alamogordo, Tularosa, La Luz, Cloudcroft and High Rolls. The effort represented more than 1,400 labor hours, providing homeowners with an estimated $20,400 in service costs savings.
“The Day of Caring is a great opportunity for us to give back and build a better community,” said Christopher Calhoun, 49th Maintenance Group deputy director.
Twelve zone leaders from across the 49th Wing began preparations in August, conducting site surveys and coordinating with homeowners. They continued work on the day of the event, monitoring work sites for safety and completion.
Volunteers spent several hours at each location performing tasks ranging from gardening, cleaning and painting, to large-scale trash disposal. One team removed a large wooden deck that was no longer safe to use. Other teams supported local nonprofit organizations, such as Alamogordo MainStreet and the Armed Forces Museum.
The teams filled five large trash bins provided by the Otero County Solid Waste Division. Based on the previous year's collection, organizers estimate volunteers removed more than 1.5 tons of trash and debris.
For U.S. Air Force Col. Rob Stripling, 49th Wing deputy commander, the event represents more than a single day of volunteer work. It provides Airmen an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with a community heavily composed of veterans who came before them.
“We want to continue building partnerships with the community and give back however we can,” Stripling said. “Younger Airmen see themselves as future veterans like a lot of the people they are helping for this event. It’s great for them to help out those who gave a lot over the years.”
Stripling noted the connection between generations of service members helps demonstrate how Airmen remain part of a larger community throughout their careers and beyond.
One of those younger volunteer Airmen is Senior Airman Maxfield Patrick, 49th Component Maintenance Squadron command support staff. Patrick said the Day of Caring provided an opportunity to step outside his normal duties and work directly with members of the community.
“It’s great that we are bringing everybody together to take the time to help this community,” Patrick said. “The residents have given so much, so it’s great to give back.”
The event marked another year of a partnership that began 36 years ago when the program operated under the United Way. Thrive in Southern New Mexico assumed responsibility for the event after 2017, continuing its collaboration with Holloman and local organizations.
Volunteers lauded the turnout and success of the event. Organizers and Airmen alike spoke positively about the opportunity to work again, side by side, during future days of service in support of communities that surround the installation.
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