FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Soldiers serving in the Army may already be looked at as volunteers, but some want to give even more back to their community.
Since October, two soldiers from 543rd Quartermaster Company have been volunteering at the Salvation Army in Watertown.
Spc. Tiffany Hill and Pfc. Shanique Walters, automated logistic specialists, have been spending part of their weekends either at or supporting the Salvation Army.
The first time these soldiers volunteered was as food servers at the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen.
Since then, they dedicate more than five hours each weekend at the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown as Salvation Army bell-ringers.
“I feel like we bring more attention to people while ringing the bells at the mall,” Hill said. “People are not use to seeing such young faces standing around the donation bucket.”
The two soldiers started a competition food drive within their company this month. The platoon who donates to most food will be rewarded with a pizza party Dec. 5. The nonperishable foods will be donated to the Salvation Army.
“We are trying to get more soldiers to help out and volunteer,” Walters said.
Other soldiers have started spending their time doing what they can for their community. Hill and Walters are working to encourage more soldiers to join in and volunteer when they can.
Most of the volunteers are younger single soldiers who would rather spend their time supporting their community than go out and party on the weekends, Hill said.
Members of the 543rd Quartermaster Company also has started collecting used and outgrown winter coats to be donated to the Salvation Army.
“It just feels good to help out as much as you can,” Walters add ed.