Wichita Falls community launches 2020 Census Published Jan. 7, 2020 By Senior Airman Pedro Tenorio 82nd Training Wing SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Count your eggs, count your chickens, count your kids, count your limited edition bulbasaur shiny cards, count whatever you want, but most importantly count yourself during the 2020 census. The 2020 Census Launch event in downtown Wichita Falls kicked off on Jan. 7, 2020, on the front steps of Memorial Auditorium. Sheppard AFB leadership joined Mayor Stephen Santellana, the Wichita Falls City Council and area community leaders. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Santellana said the census benefits communities across the country in a variety of ways. Be it for the city, for the arts, school districts or for the military community in Wichita Falls, he said the census will benefit all if we participate and show that we are here. Col. Kenyon Bell, 82nd Training Wing commander, said it doesn’t matter if someone has been here for six months or 10 years, counting themselves and their families can make a difference. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Being counted here supports the agencies that support Sheppard Air Force Base,” he said. “[This includes] veteran’s services, medical and mental health care, housing, recreation. I’d like to encourage everyone in our wider military community to make sure they are counted right here this year in the 2020 census.” Bell said active duty members, veterans, family members, civilian employees and students can all help just by being counted. It will show support and show the greater USA governments that we are here. Community leaders from the non-profit sector and the arts & culture community also showed their support for the census by speaking at the launch event. After the speeches, attendees of the launch event counted down as the mayor and fourth grade WFISD students officially cut the 2020 census ribbon to kick-off our count phase. For more information about the census, go to http://www.wichitafallstx.gov/2069/2020-Census. Happy counting! Photo Details / Download Hi-Res