About 250 men and women who live in the dormitories on Offutt Air Force Base enjoyed a steak dinner for Christmas at the Offutt Community Center.
The dinner was part of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce's annual Operation Holiday Cheer, in partnership with the Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center, base commanders and the Bellevue business community.
Each year, the chamber collects donations to stuff gift bags to be distributed to the Offutt dorms for the young airmen who won't be going home for the holidays.
This year, the bags consisted of all sorts of treats, such as granola bars, chips, microwave popcorn, hot chocolate, candy, gum, mints, coupons and Christmas cards from the American Red Cross and Bellevue Public Schools students.
Among other local donations, Maggie's Gourmet Popcorn contributed bags of popcorn and CVS Pharmacy donated toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Outback Steakhouse served a meal of sirloin steak, chicken, vegetables, salad and bread. To-go boxes were made and delivered to those airmen who were on duty and could not attend.
ROTC students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha served cheesecake for dessert. Also, the Offutt Officers' Spouses Club baked various cookies for the men and women to pick out, bag and take back to their dorms with them.
Following dinner, door prizes — summer sausages and restaurant gift cards — were given away for various contests. For instance, the first person who could present an Alabama driver's license won a prize, as did the person with the biggest feet (size 13), the first person to show an NFL key chain or a tattoo of his mom, and the person with the hometown farthest away.
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