January 24, 2022

The 11th Annual CABA-VFW Airlift was conducted over the weekend of December 3-4-5, with some flights taking place during the following week.

This event supports Colorado military veterans and their families facing challenges during the holiday season. The toys and food collected and delivered by volunteer pilots truly help to brighten the holidays which might not be so bright otherwise.

By the numbers:
Due to population changes some VFW posts opted out of this year's airlift and as a result, the number of posts served dropped from 28 to 23. Airlift flights were conducted by 22 pilots who generously donated of their time and aircraft expenses. Pilots flew to 10 airports around the state: Grand Junction (GJT), Montrose (MTJ), Durango (DRO), Cortez (CEZ), Alamosa (ALS), Pueblo (PUB), Las Animas-Bent County (7V9), Kit Carson (ITR), Greeley (GXY) and Northern Colorado Regional (FNL).

A total of more than 9,000 lb of non-perishable foods were transported. In addition, a wide variety of toys and supplies for homeless needs were delivered. Toy purchases were made based on Post requests for both boys and girls as well as various age groups. An estimated 1,400 veterans and their families were served by this year's airlift. 

Since the first airlift in December 2011, our Holiday VFW Airlift has delivered a cumulative total of about 75,000 lb of goods and served more than 7,500 individuals.