DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Dyess Company Grade Officer Council was recently nominated and selected for the Air Force CGOC of the year award.

The Dyess CGOC is a private organization made up of officers in the grades of second lieutenant to captain, who devote their time to volunteering on base and out in the Abilene community. The council participates with various organizations to include the Dyess Chiefs' Group, Top 3, Airmen Advisory Council, Dyess We Care Team, Meals on Wheels Plus, Abilene ISD, Baylor, Angelo State, Texas Christian University and Dyess Elementary School.

The many individuals who played a part in the council were responsible for hosting more than 20 base and 40 social events, raising/donating $25,900 and dedicating more than 2,200 hours to professional development and 9,400 hours of community service to the base and the city of Abilene.

The president of the Dyess CGOC, 1st Lt David Reeves, spoke about how the group has given him countless professional development, networking, community service, base support, fundraising and socializing opportunities.

"I've enjoyed being highly involved with our CGO council for the past 18 months because we always have something going on," Reeves said. "We have continued events that were very successful in the past, such as our annual Dyess Bowl fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we have innovated other programs out of the necessity to better support our base and the local community, like the Parents' Night Out and Adopt-a-School programs. We have plenty of great volunteer, fundraiser, mentorship, professional development, and social activities planned this year that will benefit many organizations both on and off base."

In a letter written by the 7th Mission Support Group commander, Col. Kristina O'Brien, states that the Dyess CGOC's accomplishments during the past 12 months are truly remarkable and are deserving of the honor to be considered the Air Force CGOC of the year.

In the past year, the council garnered support for the Reaching Back mentor and Dyess Elementary tutor program which aided 4 Abilene Independent SchoolDistricts and helped 460 students. They also partnered with the Dyess We Care Team to renovate five homes and build 18 wheel chair ramps, with 89 CGOs volunteering a total of 445 hours.

"The council will continue to support the base and the community by providing tireless and selfless care in all that we do," Reeves said.