CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq— Soldiers with various battalions and companies from the 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), gathered in support of the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas, Oct. 4, in Memorial Hall at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote in a letter addressed to service members and Department of Defense civilians serving overseas: “Your generous contributions are the backbone of a collective effort aimed at assisting communities across the nation and the globe.”
Soldiers with the 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, and soldiers with the 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and the 224th Special Troops Battalion, set up stations where soldiers received various charity materials and information.
“One soldier donated to Black Women’s Health Imperative, and another to Aids to Children, Youth, and Families,” said Staff Sgt. Charman Gardner, an assistant squad leader with A Troop, 199th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Squadron, 108th Cav. Regt., and a Monroe, La., native. “I’m going to donate to four different ones. It doesn’t have to be large amounts of money to make a difference.”
Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 224th Sustainment Brigade, provided a lunch-serving line allowing soldiers to eat and talk at their leisure, and share their reasons for donating.
Sgt. Jorge Anaya, an information management non-commissioned officer with the 40th Quartermaster Company, 110th CSSB, and a Salinas, Puerto Rico, native, donated to Child Aid, which helps Latin America’s poorest communities alleviate poverty through childhood literacy and education programs.
“I’ve been through extreme poverty,” said Anaya. “I know what it’s like. It’s personal.”
Pfc. Kyle Calkins, a supply support activity clerk with the 40th Quarter Master Company, and a Yuba City, Calif., native, said he is donating to the Children’s Hospital Research Center.
“Last year I lost my son to a premature birth,” he said Calkins. “Certain measures could have been taken. If there were measures to save premature babies earlier, then my son could be here.
“He was 22 weeks and three days when he was born. As of now, technology puts viability at 24 weeks before they can be saved. Research could also be done for better medicine for the mother. It means a lot to give to this. Maybe someone else won’t have to go through this…It’s changed my whole life.”
1st Lt. Norman Hayes, the joint visitor’s bureau officer-in-charge with HHC, 224th Sust. Bde., and a Richmond, Calif., native, also donated because of a loss of a close family member.
“My sister, Charmaine, died of cerebral palsy,” said Hayes. “I always make it a point to donate to organizations that help cerebral palsy patients. I was a part of the High O’Brian Youth Foundation. They mentor tomorrow’s leaders: high school students. I donate every opportunity I get.”
Soldiers donate for many reasons; some for personal reasons, and others who just want to help others. Everyone is encouraged to donate.
“The 2010 CFC-O Charity Listing contains more than 2,300 organizations working to address many critical needs around the world,” said Gates in his letter. “Many of these charities may have helped you, your family, or your friends. If you have never participated in the campaign, please join us. If you have given in the past, I thank you for your support and invite you to participate again this year. Choose charities that you feel passionate about and know that through the CFC-O you will help someone in need.”
For more information please go online at www.cfcoverseas.org.
| Date Taken: |
10.04.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
10.18.2010 10:57 |
| Story ID: |
58315 |
| Location: |
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: |
83 |
| Downloads: |
6 |
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This work, Deployed soldiers gather in support of Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas, by 1LT Nathan Lavy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
