Photo By Jonathan Holloway | SHREVEPORT, La. —— This past holiday season, the U.S. Army Shreveport Recruiting...... read more read more
SHREVEPORT, La. —— This past holiday season, the U.S. Army Shreveport Recruiting Company spread cheer, here and in surrounding areas, through successful execution of its self-initiated volunteering effort, affectionately named “Operation Christmas Cheer.”
Shreveport Recruiting Company’s “Operation Christmas Cheer” consisted of three main lines-of-effort: enhancing food bank collection; a toy drive; and feeding the forgotten-on Christmas Day.
“Since we all live in the Shreveport community, there was a personal aspect to wanting to perform this operation and make it a success We all want to be part of our community and make it thrive…much like we want our Army [brothers and sisters] to excel, we also want to feel part of the community in which we live,” Capt. Edwin Medina, Shreveport Recruiting Company Commander said.
The Recruiters networked with deeply rooted community organizations and other charitable efforts to fully manifest the operation.
“We had to partner with local organizations to create an impact and show presence through volunteerism in our communities,” Medina said. “These organizations include Northeast Louisiana Food Bank, Shriner Children Hospital at Shreveport, Feed the Forgotten, and Kiwanis Mash Toy Drive, to name a few.”
Food Bank Collection
Participating schools in the Shreveport area had a chance to compete in the holiday event, culminating into top winners tallied by their school’s contribution for achieving the most weight in food donations.
“The winning school was New Vision Academy out of Monroe, Louisiana and their award presentation day is to be determined sometime in February,” Medina said. “We are excited to acknowledge them for their donations.”
Before the holidays started, Medina and his company sought ways to make their presence known, not only as Army Recruiters but also viable community members and “Operation Christmas Cheer” was the answer.
“This [Operation Christmas Cheer] was not a recruiting event, in fact, this operation was about helping the company’s members give back to the community we live in and change for the community to see the Army’s dedication to its local communities and the Nation,” Medina said.
The effort itself was not a recruiting event, but still offered what recruiting is all about connection to the community.
Feeding the Forgotten
The holiday season is cheerful, but to those without family, friends and loved ones it can be a daunting reminder of the absence of people and things.
The Shreveport Recruiting Company intentionally sought ‘the forgotten’ in the local community, providing care and resources to those in need.
“Members of the Shreveport Recruiting Company were devoted to helping the forgotten and those in need this holiday season as members of the Company prepared plates of food and served over 200 people with housing and gave out clothing, toys, and blankets,” Medina said.
“Recruiting is not just about bringing people into the Army; it is also about showing the community the benefit of the military, and we want our community to know that the Army strives to protect and support our Nation and its citizens at home and abroad,” Medina said.
Toy Drive
After meeting basic needs and bringing joy to the less fortunate, the Shreveport Recruiting Company participated in two toy drive events.
“The first was the 28th Annual M*A*S*H [television series reference] Toy Drive in Natchitoches, Louisiana where the Company partnered with this toy drive to provide a happy holiday season for the less fortunate children in the community conducted in the local Walmart parking lot and Recruiters actively assisted with donating and gathering toys for the event’s overall success,” Medina said.
If second is the best, the Shreveport Recruiting Company made a statement with a significant number of toys obtained.
“The second event was conducted in Shreveport, Louisiana and toys were gathered through donations from our Company Soldier Family Readiness Group and Company Commander resulting in over 100 toys secured,” Medina said. “Our Recruiters delivered toys to the Shriners Hospital for Children and their families facing economic hardships.”
According to Medina, Operation Christmas Cheer was a direct reflection of the Army’s mission in providing real career opportunities and benefits; “…we live the Army values of selfless-service,” Medina said.
“We want the community to feel comfortable with us and to rest assured that we will do everything to better their sons or daughters’ futures, and to protect their wellbeing at home,” Medina said. “To do that, we find it important to get out there and support our local community with events such as Operation Christmas Cheer.”
The operation proved to be a considerable success with significant school participation and sincere appreciation from the greater Shreveport community.
“This event is something the company will continue to do in the future as well as other events like it. The benefit to the community was immense, but this event also created a sense of camaraderie and support within our company, and it brought that same support to the community. Our recruiters had fun getting out there and making Operation Christmas Cheer a success as well as interacting with the local community.
For more information about the Shreveport Recruiting Company or to speak with an Army Recruiter contact edwin.m.medina.mil@army.mil or (318) 517-6258.
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| Date Taken: | 02.09.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2024 11:35 |
| Story ID: | 463596 |
| Location: | SHREVEPORT , LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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