Photo By Cpl. Unique B. Roberts | Jamie Rhodes, right, high-fives Khalil S. after handing him a backpack during...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Operation Homefront hosted the Operation Homefront-Carolinas Back to School Brigade at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Aug. 15.
The event was held to assist service members and their families prepare for the upcoming school year by providing backpacks, paper, protractors, calculators, dry erase boards and a variety of other school supplies to students.
“This year we are providing almost 200 backpacks to families who desired to have one,” said Tammy Hickman, the Operation Homefront liaison at Cherry Point. “This helps offset costs for families. Parents today are spending more now than they ever have on school supplies.”
Operation Homefront received more school supplies than what was needed through donations provided by local businesses, and had extra backpacks to distribute for those on their waiting list.
“During events like this it’s hard to reach everyone. This year is different – everyone who signed up got what they needed and that’s what it’s all about,” said Hickman. “It feels wonderful giving back to the community and helping those who help us every day through their diligent service to our nation.”
Volunteers with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 and members of the local community assisted Operation Homefront this year by filling backpacks with school supplies and distributing them during the event.
“This was my first time volunteering for an event like this and it was definitely worth it,” said Cpl. Nicholas Jenkins, an aviation communication systems technician with MTACS-28. “As we help our fellow Marines we are increasing family readiness, which increases operational readiness at the squadrons.”
The squadrons at Cherry Point pride themselves in supporting the mission of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Increasing family readiness enables Marines to do what they are asked without having to concentrate on whether their family is provided for, according to Jenkins.
“At one point I was the individual coming to these types of events to receive school supplies, and I remember how much it helped me and my family,” said Jenkins. “The families are in for a treat with all the donations we received.”
Just as Jenkins hoped, families were more than grateful to receive the assistance this year.
“Last year I brought the kids to get a backpack and it was a good experience; that was one of the reasons why I brought them back again this year,” said Jackie Wagner, a resident of Cherry Point. “This takes a financial burden off the families and I have recommended families to participate in the future.”
For more information on upcoming events hosted by Operation Homefront visit www.operationhomefront.net/nc.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2014 07:48 |
| Story ID: | 139765 |
| Location: | CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Operation Homefront assists Cherry Point Marines, families with school needs, by Cpl Unique B. Roberts, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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