Photo By Cpl. Gideon Schippers | Families participate in carnival games during the annual Christmas tree lighting...... read more read more
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YUMA, AZ [Nov 17, 2023]-- The Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) hosted their annual Christmas tree lighting event for active duty Marines and their families stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Every year MCCS puts on their annual Christmas tree lighting celebration to kick off the holidays. Anna Solórzano, the deputy marketing director for MCCS, started organizing the event in October. The preparation resulted in a large event that provided multiple activities for all ages. Anna said, “It’s perfect for the families because the kids will have the opportunity to play carnival games and get on the bouncers that are here.” They had also set up pictures with Santa Claus, multiple raffles, free food, informational booths for on base resources, goodie bags for the children, and a beer tent for the adults. “We really want to show MCCS’ support to the families that live on the station,” said Anna.
MCCS was able to put on this event thanks to support from their sponsors, the community, and volunteer Marines. There were dozens of carnival games set up and staffed by Marine volunteers. They came early to help set up all of the decorations, tents and the stage. One of the Marines that volunteered, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Logan Francel, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at MCAS Yuma said, “Yuma is a small place. So, having such a big organization able to pull off something that big for the community is really something special that I don’t think many other places could do.”
The large turnout at the event of families at MCAS Yuma caught the attention of shoppers at the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) where the event took place. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Walter B. Contreras, who came to shop at the MCX and ended up attending the event said, “It’s a good family outing for families to get out and not have to worry about lines and you’ll know your kids are safe.” Him and his wife, Emily Contreras, were impressed with how MCCS had improved the event from when he was last stationed at MCAS Yuma in 1992. They have been attending the Christmas tree lighting ever since Walter had retired in 1992. Emily said, “They did a really excellent job and I wish I could’ve gone and grabbed my grandkids and brought them because all the attractions here for them are wonderful.”
Anna expressed that they are always looking for ways to support active duty families at MCAS Yuma with setting up multiple events for families throughout the year and even offering special discounts for shopping on base. “We want to help promote the awesome sales that the MCX is going to have for the holidays. Especially with the sales happening after thanksgiving, and again, this is really just to show how much we care for the families here on the station.”
For more information on MCCS events visit:
https://yuma.usmc-mccs.org/
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2023 19:10 |
| Story ID: | 458435 |
| Location: | YUMA, AZ, US |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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