Photo By 1st Lt. Daphney Black | Volunteers rake and pick up leaves during Fort Carson’s observation of Make a...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. – Making a difference can mean different things to different people, but for the hundreds of volunteers who showed up at Iron Horse Park Oct. 26, making a difference was all about giving back to their community.
On that day, hundreds of volunteers spread out across the Fort Carson area, raking leaves, sprucing up Iron Horse Park, cleaning the drainage along Magrath Road and beautifying the school and housing areas.
The event, which included fun and festivities, with Soldiers, retirees and their Families interacting with one another, was all about community pride and stewardship.
“Anytime you are giving back to your community, taking some of your personal time to do good for others which is what service to our country, community, or nation is about,” said Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson.
For Joey Bautista, the Fort Carson volunteer manager and event coordinator, this day was not all about raking leaves or cleaning gutters, but rather a time to connect.
“This is all about caring for other people; love your neighbor, if you will,” Bautista said. “Go out there and do something, not for yourself but other people.”
Many Soldiers from throughout Fort Carson came out to support the community and to strengthen their bonds during the event.
“This is a great opportunity for me to build relationships with people while also serving the community,” said 2nd Lt. William Whitaker of 576th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Inf. Div. “You get a chance to meet new people and continue to build existing relationships.”
Make a Difference Day has become somewhat of a family affair at Fort Carson, as it has taken place for last 17 years.
“I guess it’s the culture of the Army because of what we do, but when it comes to events like this, we are family,” he said. “We help each other no matter what.”
Ashley Elmo, a volunteer who participated in the event for the first time believes that volunteerism is a great experience for her children.
“I am from a small town, and my husband and I always feel like helping our community is a good thing to teach our children,” Elmo said as she glanced over at her children raking leaves. “I feel like those values are really important to teach your children.”
Other volunteers agreed that the event brought the opportunity to display selfless service.
“It means a lot to help out the community and do what you’re supposed to do when you have a chance to do it,” said Lashawn Farley, a Make a Difference Day volunteer. “I came out here to give my support, and I just love volunteering.”
Each volunteer contributed to a specific aspect of the event.
“We have a unique culture in the Army that volunteerism is embedded into our Army life,” Bautista said. “Many of the volunteers are repeaters. They like coming back every year, because they know that on that day collectively, they can show support.”
The Division commander was impressed by the solid turnout.
“It is great to see the different types of people from different areas of the community come out here to spend time with each other,” McFarlane said.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2019 14:54 |
| Story ID: | 349688 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US |
| Hometown: | BURKE, VA, US |
| Hometown: | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Family Affair: Volunteers Beautify Fort Carson, by 1st Lt. Daphney Black, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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