Photo By Julius Evans | A tradition started many years ago continued as personnel from Naval Medical Logistics...... read more read more
FREDERICK, Md. - A tradition started many years ago continued this week as personnel from Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) contributed supplies to a local elementary school Aug. 26.
Stationed at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, and headed by Capt. Mary S. Seymour, NMLC personnel hand-delivered hundreds of dollars of donated school supplies to Lincoln Elementary School in Frederick. NMLC and the school have enjoyed a long partnership where both military and civilian personnel donate their time, efforts and talent to students there.
As the summer ends, NMLC started the new school year by contributing book bags, notebooks, paper, pencils and a large assortment of other school supplies that elementary school students typically need throughout the year. And the reasons why many at NMLC continue to give is as varied as the number of children receiving the donations.
“I don't ever recall anyone coming to my school and giving me supplies. I remember not always having what I needed and feeling left out because my family could not afford these items,” said Paul Flemings, an NMLC procurement business process manager in the Operational Forces Support Directorate. “I give because I know what it feels like to not have what’s needed for school. If I could, I would make sure every child has what they need.”
One Lincoln Elementary School third-grade class concurred with the notion that school supplies are sometimes in short supply and at some point during the school year, those supplies become a needed commodity that aren’t always available to them.
“Words cannot express my excitement when I received a big box of school supplies at my classroom door a few days ago. I always run out of pencils and glue by November or December and now, I am all set,” the letter stated. “Thank you so very much for donating to our wonderful students here at Lincoln. Your service to our country combined with your service to our students makes me thankful for you all each day.”
One command member expressed her thoughts about why she continues to contribute to the children each year.
“How can you not give when you know the circumstances these children face? The price of a composition book is 50 cents. Most of us have that amount on our car floor mats,” said Rachel Pardo, an NMLC management and program analyst, Research and Services Contract Division. “As federal employees, we are fortunate to be educated, well employed and in a great place in life. I owe a lot for the good that I have, and I am very cognizant that it could be all gone in the blink of an eye.”
An active duty member shared his thoughts when he expressed that the military isn't all about fighting wars far away from home.
“We have responsibilities at home as well that include supporting the communities in which we live. We are an active part of neighborhood organizations, we take part in local festivities and we have children in local schools,” said Operations Specialist Petty Officer 2nd Class Blair Dial, NMLC’s assistant security manager. “Committing time to Lincoln Elementary School not only assists students and teachers, it contributes to a community as a whole. Helping to guide these young minds and standing out as role models in these formative years can have a lasting impact on a child’s life.”
Yet, another NMLC representative had a more personal perspective on charitable giving. She once attended Lincoln Elementary school and her thoughts were reflected in what she shared.
“I recently returned to NMLC after having spent four years with another agency and one of the things I missed most was the community spirit and support. Not only does this provide a direct connection to our community, for me, it’s a small way to give back just a little,” said Teresa Lamb, an NMLC contract specialist team lead. “It was not a big deal for me to purchase supplies, but it is a big deal for these students. This particular elementary school is dear to my heart. I attended Lincoln Elementary School (then called South Frederick) in the first and second grades, and it seems only right that I should give something back.”
Flemings, who not only makes donations to the school, but who also volunteers by mentoring one of the children, explained why there is a sense of responsibility in being a member of this community.
“Education at this level is free and it is really the only thing that some of these children have. To help make sure they get what they need is very important to me and the reason I give now and always will,” he said.
Former First Lady Barbara Bush probably summed it up best when she said, “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.”
But for Mimi McReal, NMLC’s small business coordinator, her words of wisdom may resonate for all those who give.
“For those who have received many blessings, remember to share that abundance with those less fortunate. You may find yourself on the receiving end of the charitable giving one day,” she said.
NMLC’s mission is to deliver patient-centered logistics solutions for military medicine and its vision is to become the Department of Defense’s premier medical logistics support activity. But for this evolution, its mission was to deliver school supplies for a very worthy cause.
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2015 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 174586 |
| Location: | FREDERICK, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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