Annual bowling tournament held to benefit two Nellis organizations Published Aug. 18, 2009 By Airman Cynthia A. Haughton 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- For the past 12 years, Arcata Associates, Inc. has held an annual bowling tournament for its Nevada employees. In the past, the tournament's primary focus was employee appreciation. This year, however, in honor of the company's 30th anniversary, Tim Wong, president and chief executive officer, wanted to do something different. "I read an article about Operation Warm Heart, and about a fundraising event that occurred during the Memorial Day weekend," said Mr. Wong. "I thought it would be a great idea to celebrate our 30th anniversary by giving back to the men, women and families of Nellis Air Force Base." Operation Warm Heart operates on Nellis with the consent of the installation commander. Operation Warm Heart is a nonprofit organization established to receive, manage and distribute charitable funds to Nellis and Creech AFB Airmen and families. Grants are made to deserving individuals, families, or base agencies that benefit Nellis-Creech personnel or legitimate off-base agencies that support Nellis-Creech Airmen. As a tribute to the company's 30th anniversary, 30 cents was donated for each pin that was knocked down during the event. "We raised a total of $7,980, which was evenly split between Operation Warmheart and the Nellis Child Development Center ($3,990 was given to each organization)," Mr. Wong said. "The Operation Warm Heart Executive Council, all Nellis and Creech first sergeants, are extremely grateful that Arcata chose our organization to receive this donation," said Master Sgt. Boston A. Alexander, 57th Air Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and vice president of Operation Warm Heart. "The funds will aid in providing assistance to our Airmen and families." Arcata currently supports the 98th Range Wing as a major subcontractor to JT3, LLC on the Joint Range Technical Services (J-Tech) Contract. Arcata provides management, engineering, operations and maintenance, logistics, quality assurance, and technical documentation in support of the equipment and systems on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) used to support Red Flag, Weapons School and Test and Evaluation. The tournament was attended by 111 participants, including Arcata personnel from the Las Vegas Corporate Office, Nellis J-Tech Contract, Nellis Red Flag Contract, their families, and representatives of Operation Warmheart and the Nellis Child Development Center. The event was held Aug. 13 at the Texas Star Lanes at the Texas Station Casino in North Las Vegas. "Arcata Associates, Inc. is proud to be a contractor at Nellis supporting both the Nevada Test and Training Range for the 98th Range Wing and Red Flag for the 414th Combat Training Squadron," said Mr. Wong. "We thought this was a perfect opportunity to thank our employees, celebrate our 30th anniversary, and to show our gratitude and appreciation to the men and women of Nellis."
