Viking Challenge gives Fisher House a run for its money

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Lesley Waters
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AFB, Calif. --   Even though the top two teams finished tied for the number of miles run - 115 miles each, the 60th Maintenance Squadron no. 2 team claimed first place by being less than a quarter mile ahead of 570th Global Mobility Squadron as the second place team.

The 60th Logistic Readiness Squadron #2 team rounded out the top three with 104 miles.

These three teams and 26 others comprised of more than 300 service members and civilians from Travis, the local communities and Beale Air Force Base ran 2,457 miles and participated in the 2012 Viking Challenge, held Saturday at West Golden Middle School running track.

Viking Challenge is a 12-hour relay in which teams of up to 10 people continuously move (run, jog or walk) around the half-mile middle school track. One member of each team completes one mile before passing the baton to the next team member.

"Viking Challenge 2012 was a huge success," said Capt. Nathan Kitke, 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron and co-Viking Challenge point of contact. "We raised a significant amount of donations for the Travis Fisher House to use and produced an extremely fun and competitive event."

The annual event is the largest fundraiser for the Travis Fisher House.

The Travis Fisher House, located next to David Grant USAF Medical Center, is a place of quiet respite for the families of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen receiving medical treatment. It is a full service facility with rooms, kitchen, laundry, etc., designed to accommodate up to seven families or 16 people at a time and provides a comfortable retreat for families of patients.
The Travis Fisher House is one of 43 "homes of comfort" built on military bases by the late philanthropists Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher. The Fisher House Foundation looks at the need for additional houses at current locations through occupancy and waiting list numbers.

Travis Fisher House has been full with a continual waiting list since 2009. This past year, 219 families were helped by being able to stay at Travis Fisher. Next year, the base is planning to have two new 5,000-square-foot single-story Fisher Houses built - one on each side of the current house, which will more than double the base's current capacity.

"The Viking Challenge is extremely important to the Travis Fisher House," said Charlene Hall, Travis Fisher House manager. "The house is operated totally through donations, and we count on the money raised through Viking Challenge to help us continue providing a 'home-away-from-home' for military and veteran families who have someone in the hospital for a serious illness or injury, without charging a fee."

One such Airman was Staff Sgt. Brandon Gaines, 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron air advisor. Gaines said he was involved in an accident in 2007 and his family was able to use the Fisher House.
"The Fisher House really made my family feel comfortable and it was one less thing they had to worry about while I was injured and recovering," Gaines said.

This was Gaines' second year participating in Viking Challenge and he plans on participating again next year.

"This is an awesome way to give back for the assistance my family and I received," he said. The whole anonymous recognition (not knowing who is receiving the assistance) really shows the volunteers really want to be there."

Travis civilian workers also took up the charge and participated in this year's Viking Challenge. Courtney Arnett, 60th Force Support Squadron commander's secretary, also participated last year and said this was her way of giving back to those who were injured in combat, by supporting their families.

"Knowing your contribution is making a difference somewhere out there to someone and their family is very rewarding," she said. "Plus the extra exercise is a bonus."

The event was sponsored by the 621st Contingency Response Wing Phoenix Mobility Program, a three-year internship program that introduces top junior officers to the Air Force's contingency response mission. To date, the Viking Challenge has raised more than $8,000 with more pledges and donations expected.

The contributions from the base and surrounding communities help lessen the burden for those in the midst of struggle and hardship, offering a soft place to land during a painful time in someone's life. While these families are at the Travis Fisher House, they are "home."

"The entire Travis AFB family, active duty, Reservists, Guardsmen and all of their families, are simply continuing the Fisher family's dedication and commitment to the veterans and their families," said Col. Mitchell Monroe, 571st Contingency Response Group commander. "The outpouring of support demonstrated by Viking Challenge is a singular example of a commitment that lasts year round."