NORTH VERNON, Ind. – Members of the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Charleston, S.C. conducted a humanitarian mission, delivered toys to Jennings Villas, a home for youth, in North Vernon, Ind., July 19.
Maj. Linda Riedel, Civil Affairs Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), Charleston, S.C. and Cpt. David Brooks, Fire Support Officer for HHC, 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, Mullins, S.C., wanted to reach out to the community of North Vernon, who has given great support to the Soldiers during the simulated nuclear detonation training exercise, Vibrant Response 10.2.
Riedel and Brooks first collected toys from McDonalds and were told by an employee about Jennings Villas. They continued on their mission to discover a warm safe house for youth, ages six to eighteen.
“The community has been very giving and hospitable,” said Riedel, who collected donations from McDonalds, Wendy’s, Wal-mart, and Dollar Store in Seymour.
When Riedel and Brooks approached the youth home, they were greeted by Pam Israel, Health Services Director for Jennings Villas.
“Prior to Jennings Villas, children used to sit in the county jail until they were put into foster care,” said Israel. “Concerned citizens got together and created the home, opening in 1983.”
The home, funded by the state of Indiana, is licensed for ten children, housing both girls and boys. The children are often placed there because of educational or medical neglect, safety reasons, or parents are on methamphetamine. If children are unable to reunify with family, they will go into foster care system.
“Children can stay here one night or as long as a year,” said Israel. “Some return, some do not, others make me a godmother.”
Israel, who has worked for Jennings Villas for twenty years, is the godmother of two past residents’ children and in charge of taking youth to psychological evaluations, medical appointments and delivery of babies.
When she is not performing her normal health service tasks, Israel is providing opportunities such as the toy delivery by 218th MEB personnel. One of the Soldiers who delivered toys included Pfc. Rachel Clark, who is a member of HHC, 218th MEB, Charleston, S.C.
“I learned a lot about civil affairs and enjoyed interacting with the kids,” said Clark, who is a human resource information system management specialist.
Clark demonstrated how to use the Blue Force Tracker, a convoy tracking and communication device in the military vehicle provided by 218th MEB, Civil Affairs.
Other demonstrations included showing how the military reacts to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear by donning a chemical mask and the Joint Service Lightweight Integrate Suit Technology, suit.
“This mask is used to protect us if we were ever under a chemical or biological attacked,” explained Spc. Shari Mazyck, CBRN Specialist and member of the 108th Chemical Company, North Charleston, S.C.
A few of the kids tried on the mask while one young lady was brave enough to put on the whole suit and mask.
Other National Guard Soldiers and Airmen present gave their personal experience in their respective components, here and abroad. This included Senior Airmen, Christopher Linton and Staff Sgt. Monica Real, members of 202nd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, Jacksonville, Fla.; and Pfc. Colby Conley, Internment Resettlement Specialist with 387th Military Police, New Albany, Ind.
As they were leaving, sentiments of appreciation were not only given by the residents, but also by Dennis Beasley, Director for Jennings Villas Group Home.
“We really appreciate what you have done for us,” said Beasley, who has served twenty years at Jennings Villas and recently returned from a two year sabbatical.
The appreciation was felt more by Soldiers and Airmen for being able to interact with the kids and have direct contact with the citizens of North Vernon, who have shared their community with us during Vibrant Response 10.2.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2010 10:54 |
| Story ID: | 54653 |
| Location: | NORTH VERNON, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 19 |
This work, Soldiers and Airmen Visit Youth Home, by SFC Kimberly Calkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
