Club hosts 5K run/walk to honor military spouses Published May 14, 2014 By Senior Airman Tristin English 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- To promote Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and to give thanks to the spouses at Scott Air Force Base, the spouses hosted a 5K run for Team Scott. "Last year, there was a walk that ended up being a huge hit, so this year we decided to do a walk/run," said Christa Dittus, military spouse. Participants arrived in teal outfits, capes, and headbands. Some individuals ran with their kids, or even let their kids run. Awards were given to the fastest male and female, and the first child to cross the finish line. After the opening remarks, participants lined up at the starting line: runners on the right and walkers on the left. At 11 a.m. the siren started, and the race began. The first male runner made it back at 18:45, the first child made it across at 21:13, and the first female made it across at 23:11. "I've been with the Scott spouses for two years, and I've been part of a spouses club for 29 years," said Beth Talley, Scott Spouses Club scholarship chair. "Any base I go to, the first thing I look for is a spouses club. It's a wonderful way to get connected to others. The military spouses help to raise money to donate. The better we do on our charitable side, the more we can help people." The SSC contributes to the base and local community. For many years, the Scott Spouses Charitable Association has donated more than $18,000 to the community. Their fundraising activities throughout the year benefit the Scholastic Awards Program, Youth Center activities, the Airman's Attic and the base library. Locally, they give to programs such as schools, food pantries, the USO, Fisher House, organizations on the base, and many others. Every month, the SSC sponsors a community service project where the members of the club can donate items or monies toward the monthly cause. The SSC has raised $16,000 for 12 scholarships. The scholarships were awarded to three spouses and nine high schools students in the local area.