Photo By Master Sgt. Tyrone Marshall | Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Stein, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division, 25th...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
HONOLULU – Members of the Sgt. Audie L. Murphy Club (SAMC) volunteered to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and local community volunteers hold a "lock-up" benefit to raise money for the association, June 24.
SAMC members from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 25th Special Troops Battalion (STB), 45th Sustainment Brigade, 30th Signal Battalion and other United States Army, Garrison-Hawaii (USAG-HI) units, came together during the effort to assist the MDA.
"Our lock-up program has been going on for quite a while now ... probably over 15 years here in Hawaii," said Audrey Hirayama, district director, MDA. "The lockup program is really our bread and butter. We go to different locations in Hawaii and lock up executives or individuals in the community. They raise bail to get out of jail and that bail turns into the fundraising aspect of the event."
After contributors committed to the benefit, that is were volunteer Soldiers and SAMC members stepped in. Soldiers paired up as drivers and arresting officers and descended upon local businesses, schools and other venues to "escort" contributors. Contributors were handcuffed and driven to the lock-up. There they faced the wrath of the MDA judge, Eden Lee, another volunteer.
The contributors were then photographed behind makeshift bars and released after their "bail" donations. Then they were treated to lunch and gifts before being escorted back.
The lock-up kept the SAMC and other volunteers busy with over 100 contributors to "apprehend."
"Our goal is to raise $35,000 – net. In order for us to get to that net we have to raise $50,000," said Hirayama. "We came into this event with half of it already, because people started to raise money online. We're halfway there!"
She also said this isn't the first time Soldiers have helped the MDA.
"Our last lock-up, in western Oahu, we had 10 from [Schofield Barracks]," said Hirayama.
Many of the Soldiers that attended the event took pride in volunteering to help the organization. The SAMC members, wearing exclusive medallions supported by "infantry blue" ribbons, were especially proud as they escorted contributors to and from the lock-up event. Most were experienced volunteers.
"Through (SAMC) I've volunteered for other events, not the MDA, but I've done the 'Wounded Warriors' (program), beach clean-up and car washes," said Sgt. 1st Class Erika Gordon, equal opportunity advisor, USAG-HI, and SAMC member since 2003. "Sgt. Audie Murphy is a prestigious club. We do a lot of events like this. For example, the beach clean-up. It's all about the community and helping."
Other SAMC members were happy to interact with the community and generate other opportunities to volunteer.
"It definitely brings more visibility to the club and allows members of the club to get out and be actively involved in the community," said Staff Sgt. Arshad Jones, 30th Signal Bn., and SAMC member since April, 2008. "One thing that I personally take from it is the satisfaction of giving back and being able to help other people. It allows us to interface with local businesses and also provides us more opportunities for other volunteer projects."
Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Stein, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division, 25th STB, agreed.
"We get out into the community and they are able to see us and it presents a positive image of the military and our organization to the outside world."
In addition to serving as a driver and arresting officer, Jones also got two people to donate to the MDA's cause.
"One person actively participated in raising money," said Jones, whose prior events included helping the 'Wounded Warriors.' "They were able to raise over $500 dollars. Another person donated $200."
Jones concluded with thoughts and words of wisdom for all Soldiers hoping to join the esteemed SAMC, which only about 10% of the Army is a member.
"For those that are contemplating becoming a member of the club, I would encourage them to do so, understanding that the volunteer piece is very important. That is the purpose of the club. It may not be obligatory, but that is what we're all about."
In the end, SAMC members were able to take pride in their volunteer service and the MDA recognized the sacrifices all the Soldiers have made.
"We want to thank them, because they do a lot more than just the lock-ups," said Hirayama. They volunteer for so many of the other events we have, so we definitely thank the military for everything. Not just serving our country, but also for taking time out to do the little things like this."
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2008 18:48 |
| Story ID: | 21078 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 292 |
| Downloads: | 193 |
This work, "Behind bars for good" SAMC volunteers work to benefit MDA, by MSG Tyrone Marshall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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