Masked Warren members fight cancer

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rodney Ellison Jr.
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Captain Ian Holt, 319th Missile Squadron, takes his role as an uncle very seriously, and showed it by hosting the first Cookies for Kid's Cancer Masquerade Ball in the Sunset Events Center, Fort Collins, Colo.

More than 100 people attended, raising approximately $2,000 for the organization.

Cookies for Kids Cancer was started by Captain Holt's sister, Gretchen Witt, after her son, Liam, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a very severe form of cancer in 2007.

What started as a single, bake sale for children suffering from this disorder has blossomed into a large non-profit organization with corporate sponsors.
Even though he's not a corporation, Captain Holt is happy doing his part as a concerned uncle.

"If I can't visit my family more than once a year, I can at least help their cause," he said.
Some of Captain Holt's friends from Fort Collins weren't able to attend.

"I chose the date because it was the Friday after Liam's sixth birthday, which is symbolic, but in hindsight was a bad choice as it conflicted with Colorado State's graduation ceremonies and parties."

He didn't let the graduation slow his efforts, and invited co-workers from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, who came out to show their support.

According to Captain Holt, the success of the event was definitely due to the large turnout of the Warren community and the high quality of the guests.

"Captain Holt put on a fantastic event for a worthy cause," said Capt. David Suszko, 90th Operations Support Squadron.

Even with a slightly lower turnout than Captain Holt expected, everyone who attended the masquerade ball thought the event was a success.

"It is awesome when you can dress up, dance all night and help out a charity, all at the same time," said Capt. Sabrina Gonzalez, 90th Operations Support Squadron.

Captain Holt is applying the same work ethic that helped him earn the 2009 Athlete of the Year Award, toward raising money for his family's charity.

"I will take lessons learned from this year to make the event exponentially more successful in the future," he said. "I am never one to be satisfied with anything less than world class success, so my ambitions are high for the future!"

The best result of his determination is that kids will be the ultimate benefactors from his aspirations.

To learn more about the charity, you can go to www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.