Vandenberg plans for annual Texas Blowout Published Aug. 19, 2009 By 040809 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg will host the 21st Annual Texas Blowout scheduled for Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cocheo Park here. Proceeds from the fundraiser will pay for this year's Operation Kids Christmas, an annual event in which the men and women of Vandenberg sponsor approximately 200 local underprivileged children during the holidays. This year's blowout is sponsored by the 381st Training Group Schoolhouse Association here and will consist of numerous family-fun events. Activities include cow-chip tossing, a bake-off competition, silent auction, a live auction, a bike/truck/hot rod show, plenty of children's activities and more. OKC originated in 1959 when Mike Petlansky, from the Air Force Logistics Command test site office here, began Operation Big Brother with a $1,800 budget and 100 children in attendance. Today, the operating budget is approximately $23,000 and 200 children attend annually. OKC preparation requires a year-round effort, which includes the Texas Blowout. The blowout is the primary fundraiser for OKC and helped raise $20,000 last year. The event is open to anyone with access to the base. MEDIA ADVISORY: Media planning to cover this event should call Senior Airman Bryan Boyette at 606-3595. A media escort will depart the Main Gate Visitor's Center at 11:30 a.m.