Photo By Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly | Sgt. Christopher Estevez, assigned to the 505th Engineer Battalion, assists with food...... read more read more
Subscribe
“When we were in the Dominican Republic we saw a lot of kids that were naked, their families didn’t have roofs over there houses, and kids were drinking out of ponds that had animal feces in it,” said North Carolina Army National Guard Sgt. Christopher Estevez.
This experience was the spark that fueled Estevez’s desire to help those in need and eventually join the North Carolina Army National Guard.
Estevez is originally from Broward County, Florida where he played for a travel baseball team when he was about 11 years old. When his team traveled to the Dominican Republic for a baseball tournament, they went on an ATV ride that took them through the poorest parts of the country.
“That’s when I saw the families,” Estevez said. “A couple of kids came up to us and asked for money. You could tell they hadn’t eaten in a while.”
Estevez’s dad handed the kids an American twenty-dollar bill and told him that due to the currency exchange rate they would now be able to eat for a month.
“...They jumped for joy screaming in Spanish ‘we can eat!’ Estevez said. “After I heard how little it took to feed someone, I realized I wanted to do more… it’s what made me join.”
Since then Estevez has been an active participant in helping those who need it most. He is now both a Soldier and a Citizen that looks to go the extra mile for those in need.
COVID-19 is another prime example of this Soldier's unwavering selfless service in and outside of the uniform.
During a difficult time, Estevez once again extended his heart and generosity beyond the uniform to help his community. His selfless service has led the way enabling more people to join the fight and allow his fellow neighbors to get some much needed help.
As a member of the NCARNG, 505th Engineer Battalion, Estevez was called into action to provide assistance during COVID-19.
The NCNG is working with North Carolina Emergency Management, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and local food banks to help support COVID-19 relief efforts.
.
Estevez was particularly tasked with helping to unload and load trucks at the Providence Kitchen at BB&T in Winston-Salem, N.C. Once the task was completed he noticed additional volunteers were needed to sustain the growing need for help. Therefore, through the NCARNG, Estevez asked if he could stay and help with food distribution and other tasks.
“Everytime I see an opportunity to help I take advantage of it,” Estevez said
Providence Kitchen partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank Northwest in Winston-Salem, N.C. to provide meals to individuals in the local community.
Monday through Friday approximately 450 hot plates are handed out daily. On Friday’s an additional 150 hot plates are made and given to first responders such as unit nurses and doctors that are not able to purchase food due to busy schedules.
While helping at Providence Kitchen as COVID-19 progressed, Estevez saw first hand the growing impact this pandemic has had on families and the dramatic rise for basic necessities such as food.
One day while on duty, Estevez was inspired to do more for his community. Once food resources had run out for the day, there were about 40 more cars that were lined up waiting for help. Estevez had to turn those families away despite his urge to help. While turning cars away he particularly noticed the children in the backseat who were leaving with empty hands and hungry stomachs.
“When I saw that... it just struck me,” Estevez said. “I was really hurt having to tell those people ‘hey, we don’t have any more (food). We ran out of plates.’ It really just struck my heart.”
From that day forward Estevez and his wife began a GoFundMe page to raise money for the food banks to use towards meals. With the help of Pvt. 1st Class Nakiya Saunders, a member of the 505th Engineer Battalion, they were able to spread the word and encourage anyone who was in the position to help.
The Go Fund Me page received donations from civilians and organizations such as the “Hope for Kids”.
Within two weeks, Estevez successfully raised enough money equivalent to buy an additional 1,700 hot meals for the community.
“Civilians that have been able to... found it in their hearts to help out,” Estevez said.
With Estevez’s leadership and call to action beyond the uniform, every extra meal meant another hungry individual could be fed. However, his efforts have not stopped there. Estevez plans to continue the GoFundMe page to further help feed families within the community.
Estevez is one of the many NCNG service members who have strived to go beyond their duties as a Soldier.
“Our first job is to...protect, to serve,” Estevez said. “Something like this just makes you feel you’re a part of something a lot bigger.”
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2020 18:15 |
| Story ID: | 370621 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCARNG Soldier Helps Feed Community During COVID-19, by SGT Hannah Tarkelly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT