HONOLULU— For more than a half century, the military presence on Oahu has increased to more than 1.3 million individuals. These individuals use the islands resources, schools, and employment opportunities, while taking advantage of the many leisure opportunities of the island. To show the native people the military’s appreciation of their hospitality, units conduct community relations to support, give back, and interact with the local community.
Fifteen Soldiers attending the Food Services Management Course (FSMC) chose to break the monotony of creating a standard PowerPoint presentation for their final assignment by doing something to benefit the local Honolulu community, May 14, 2015.
These leaders created a project titled, ‘Because We Care’, where they spent more than two weeks planning and preparing for a charity event at Aala Park, downtown Honolulu. During the event, they provided the less fortunate people in the area with food, personal hygiene kits and clothing.
“We wanted to do something that made an impact in the local community while setting a standard for other Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lynnette Elmore, a food service noncommissioned officer in the 8th Theater Sustainment Command.
The FSMC provides senior food service leaders training on food operations management functions for NCOs and advisors, how to perform a garrison and field evaluation, effective briefing techniques, and preparation of an action plan.
The group consisting of Soldiers from 8th TSC and 25th Infantry Division, held a raffle that raised approximately $1,000 used to purchase the items for the project. A large amount of clothing was also donated by people wanting to support the project.
“People donated clothes, shoes, blankets and jackets ranging in sizes from adult to children,” said Elmore. “We gave these items, along with the items we purchased, to more than 250 people in need. We made personal hygiene bags that consisted of the basic essential items such as soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste.”
Elmore wants to get dining facilities individuals on island to do something similar once a month.
“It was awesome,” said Elmore. “It also brought tears to my eyes, especially seeing the newborns. The people were so welcoming and thanked us.”
For Elmore, one man’s request really affected her.
“A gentleman came up and asked if he could have one of the bins we carried the supplies in,” said Elmore. “Moments later we saw him fill the bin with water and give his children a bath with the items from the personal hygiene bag. This is something we really take for granted.”
The team also brought items to those who could not walk.
“I want to recognize this class,” said Elmore. “This was a team effort and it could not have happened without them.”
Date Taken: | 05.14.2015 |
Date Posted: | 05.27.2015 22:51 |
Story ID: | 164753 |
Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
Web Views: | 29 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Because We Care,’ Food Services Soldiers show compassion for the local Honolulu community, by SFC Nicole Howell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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