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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Kids who have parents deployed or serving in active duty load up on toiletry bags as part of volunteering to help stuff USO Care Packages for troops serving in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, April 9, 2009, at Fort Belvoir , Va. The stuffing is also in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. USO Photo by Mike Theiler |
FORT BELVOIR, VA. - In between doing the Hokey Pokey and a surprisingly well coordinated Electric Slide, 70 enthusiastic military children ranging in age from 5 to 12 packed the Ft. Belvoir USO Warehouse on April 9, 2009, to lend a helping hand in preparing more than 2,000 care packages that will be sent to troops deployed overseas. Face painting, music, and busy little hands made the event-the first of its kind-an enjoyable and productive experience for both the children and the USO staff.
"Today's an extra special event," said Sloan Gibson, president and CEO of USO. "USO of Metropolitan Washington is partnering with Military Health System to do this event that, for the first time ever, involves young children. April is the Month of the Military Child, and especially in these times, as military families are experiencing their second, third, or even fourth deployment, it's tough on kids. So, this is a way for us to highlight that part of a military family sacrifice and for this group of kids to really do something special and feel like they are personally saying thank you."
In the past, the USO Care Package Program has typically been an adult-only event, rarely allowing children, especially ones as young as these, to help with stuffing the care packages because of the intense pace and safety risks. However, USO Metropolitan Washington and the Military Health System worked together to make the necessary adjustments, and, for the first time in the organizations history, children of all ages were permitted to participate in the program. After taking a few extra safety precautions, lowering the tables, and providing nonstop dance music and activities, the stage was set to give the new approach a try.
Quite a few of the mini-volunteers had parents who were either currently deployed or have been deployed, and many just wanted to personally say thank you. Craft projects, posters and banners were covered in vibrant signatures and personal messages (some barely legible because the authors were still in preschool), and these were included in each of the care packages.
"It shows that you really care about them because they are really doing a lot for us over in Iraq. It kind of gives them hope," explained energetic 9-year-old Chris Mansker as he traced his hand to create a paper plate duck to be included in a care package. Both of his parents are active duty military, though neither is currently deployed.
Once the actual care package stuffing began, an assembly line of children filled both sides of two separate tables, each table covered in bins filled with items ranging from toiletries to candy to beef jerky and playing cards. Bopping to the music and making new friends, the volunteer army of children and a few parents boxed 2,045 total care packages.
"The goal was only 500 care packages, and they just blew that out of the door," said Ron Wise, director of the Operation USO Care Package Program. "This was the first time the USO was taking on something like this. We thought we put a challenge on [the children], but they tore right through it. We had a great time, and hopefully there will be a partnership with MHS on another project in the future."
The United Service Organization (USO) is a nonprofit, charitable organization with over 130 locations across the globe, including 10 mobile eateries. The purpose of the programs are to act as a bridge between the American public and the military, providing entertainment, food, and recreation to those deployed in foreign countries. The USO Care Package Program, was formed by USO Metropolitan Washington following the anthrax scare that led to the prohibition of packages being sent to any service member, anywhere. Since September 11, 2001, almost two million care packages have been sent to troops overseas.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| USO President Sloan Gibson (center, seated) is joined by a throng of kids, who have parents deployed or in active duty, and have volunteered to help stuff care packages for troops serving in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, April 9, 2009, at Fort Belvoir , Va. The stuffing is also in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. USO Photo by Mike Theiler |
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