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By Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph R. Wax
Fleet Public Affairs Center, Atlantic
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Local children at Windsor Oaks Elementary School were treated to a holiday party Dec. 10, courtesy of Naval Air Station Oceana's Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic.
The party was a celebration for approximately 16 children at Windsor Oaks who are part of a mentorship program with Sailors from FRC Mid-Atlantic.
The program helps students who have been identified by their teachers as needing a little one-on-one assistance from a positive role model.
"The Sailors come here every week in uniform and give them as much help as possible," said Petty Officer 1st Class Marvin Pelzer, the FRC Mid-Atlantic program coordinator. "We want to give every kid the chance to be successful. This also gives the Sailors a really good chance to see first-hand the positive impact their hard work can have."
The holiday party allowed the Sailors and children a chance to interact in a more casual setting. Most of the FRC Mid-Atlantic Sailors even arrived in civilian clothes to aid the relaxed atmosphere.
"This party gave everyone an environment where they could let their hair down and just have fun," said Pelzer.
The mentors and students played games, decorated holiday scenes and exchanged cards and gifts before sitting down for a pizza lunch.
According to Petty Officer 2nd Class Toni Acid, an FRC Mid-Atlantic volunteer, the mentorship enriches not only the lives of the students but theirs as well.
"When we are working on math and I can see her getting it; it is truly a wonderful experience," said Acid.
Anna, one of the students in the program, agrees with Acid about its benefits.
"When my mentor is here I am always happy," said Anna. "She helps me with the words I don't know. It's totally awesome."
The program at Windsor Oaks was started more than a year ago and has become a model program for other commands to emulate. Even with all of the success the program has attained for its students, the members of FRC Mid-Atlantic are striving for more.
"We want to take it to another level and continue to be a positive influence to the students and the community," said Acid.
"The mentorship program continues to grow," said Pelzer. "We encourage others to get involved. Every child who has a mentor benefits from the relationship."
Pelzer also wanted to thank the school's staff for all of their help in making the program a success.
"The individual team program coordinator Katie Knapp and the school have been phenomenal," he said. "It has made a huge impact and I'm pleased and honored to be a part of it."
For more information on starting a mentor program or becoming a mentor in Virginia Beach contact Heather Allen, the partnership coordinator for Virginia Beach Public Schools at 757-263-1337. To get involved elsewhere, contact your local school district for volunteer opportunities nearby.
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2008 21:59 |
| Story ID: | 27554 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 354 |
| Downloads: | 316 |
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