HHT Soldiers volunteer at Girls Inc.

Photo By Sgt. Stephanie Woodson | On Jan. 30, 2015, Capt. Jeremy Herron, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Company Commander, reads the score sheet to one of the youths that attend Girls Inc., Baker Center, Columbus, Ga. In between events, children would come up to Soldiers and ask them questions about military life, especially question about field training exercises, for example, “Where do you sleep and what do you eat when you’re in the woods?’(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephanie Woodson)  

FORT BENNING, GA, UNITED STATES

01.30.2015

Story by Sgt. Stephanie Woodson 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Instead of spending Marne Time with their families, Soldiers spent their afternoon volunteering at Girls Inc. on Jan. 30, 2015, in Columbus, Georgia, facilitating a physical fitness challenge and talking to the children about their journey in the military.

Here’s a little history about Girls Inc:

According to their website, Girls Inc. movement started in New England during the Industrial Revolution as a response to the needs of the working class; young women who migrated from rural communities were searching for new available job opportunities in textile mills and factories in the state.

The focus of Girls Inc. is to empower girls through education to one day grow into strong women. Girls Inc. offers programs in learning that include math and science education, pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, media and economic literacy, adolescent health, violence prevention and sports participation.

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold. In today’s society, it is important that young women are strong both mentally and physically. They learn to set and achieve goals, boldly confront challenges, resist peer pressure and see college as an attainable goal.

The Soldiers challenged the girls with physical fitness events; with each event running simultaneously.

The physical fitness challenge tested the children in their ability to jump rope, and complete pushups and situps.

In between events, children would come up to Soldiers and ask them questions about military life, especially question about field training exercises, for example, “Where do you sleep and what do you eat when you’re in the woods?"

“Volunteering is our way of giving back to the community,” said Spc. Sharon Peltier, orderly clerk assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It also helps Soldiers bridge the gap within the community.”

“This is my second time coming to Girls Inc.,” she added.

“The first time I volunteered, we went to the Boys and Girls Club and did the physical fitness challenge,” Peltier said. “I always laugh when I see children do their version of situps and pushups.”

Peltier said, this is also a good way to keep the girls active, she explained.

“The most situps were approximately 91 and pushups were more than 60,” said Peltier.

The physical fitness challenge was successful and the children had a very enjoyable time.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2015
• Date Posted: 02.12.2015 16:46
• Story ID: 154339
• Location: FORT BENNING, GA, US