A helping hand at home and abroad Published April 5, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Jamie L. Perry 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs PITTSBURGH IAP ARS -- From Pennsylvania to Germany, the 911th Airlift Wing is present with a helping hand to others. Wing members and their families are dedicating their time and efforts to help others in need no matter the challenge. Ian Hixson, son of 911th's Senior Airman Matthew Hixson, lost his wheel chair after the family car was vandalized Feb. 19, 2012, leaving his wheelchair damaged and medical supplies scattered throughout the car and surrounding neighborhood, the car had been packed the night before so they would be ready for a scheduled trip to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Ian who has cerebral palsy, is completely dependent on his wheelchair and medical supplies. After learning of the terrible event, Jessica Dobson, whose husband is also assigned to the 911th, set-up a website for donations so that a new chair could be purchased. Jessica did not know the Hixon's personally but wanted to help a fellow 911th family member. "When I first heard of Ian's story I looked for anyone who was accepting donations on their behalf. I found that nothing was set up so I decided to set up a donation site myself," said Dobson. "Our original goal was $5,000 for a new chair but I never expected it to raise as much money as we did. After meeting the family, I'm really glad we could help them the way that we did." The website generated more than $20,000 in donations, and the chair ended up being donated by a local company. A month after the incident occurred, the Hixson's received a Kid Cart, a customized wheelchair, from United Seating and Mobility in Sewickley, Pa. "This is a better version, a newer model," said Heather Hixson, Ian's mother. Paula Sawyers, a licensed practical nurse who provides care for Ian remarked, "This actually fits him better. The other one was small for him." But helping others doesn't just stop on the home front; across the Atlantic Ocean, a unit member is also making a difference, while deployed. Senior Airman Amanda Sachs, a medical technician from the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron will be participating in the Tough Mudder event on May 12, 2012 at the Boughton House and Estate, Kettering Nothamptonshire, U.K. to help raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Tough Mudder, a 12-mile extreme obstacle course designed by British Special Forces tests toughness, fitness, strength and stamina. Her team, 'Team Honey Badger,' is composed of 12 Air Force medics and nurses deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany in support of the 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility. The team chose the name 'Honey Badger' since it is the unofficial mascot of the 86th CASF. The badger, which is known for being a fearless and tough animal, represents the unit's continuing ability to get the job done no matter what obstacles may be ahead. The Wounded Warrior Project supports injured service members by providing items to them after they are wounded, due to the fact that they are removed from all of their own gear after an incident. Items members receive consist of a bag with toiletry items, a blanket, and materials on what the Wounded Warrior Project can do for them. Some of the materials provide help with their Education Benefits, Family Support programs and information on continuing care after they return home from their deployment. "Most of our patients come to the 86th CASF from down range already wearing Wounded Warrior gear and with knowledge about how it can help them once they are at home and beginning to recover," said Sachs. "Even if patients are not awake and unable to breathe on their own, they are given a bag of toiletries for when they do awake and are also covered with a WWP blanket. The compassion of the representatives and volunteers in the early weeks of being here was truly inspiring, which is why I wanted to participate in the event to raise money for the WWP." The original goal for the event was raising $1,000 for WWP, the team was able to achieve a total of $1,305 in fundraising. "Senior Airman Sachs consistently goes above and beyond taking on leadership roles that far exceed expectations," said Col. Richard Cornell, 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Commander. "Her commitment to our wounded troops is clearly evident in the direct care she has provided them while deployed, and she has taken that one step further by organizing a team to participate in the 12-mile Tough Mudder obstacle course and raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. I commend her for her leadership and commitment to our wounded troops."