USAG-DAEGU – Soldiers with the 25th Transportation Battalion, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, partnered with area IV Child and Youth Services as volunteers for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America annual “Day for Kids” event, September 9 on Kelly Field at Camp Walker, Daegu, Korea.
The yearly boys and girls club event aims to celebrate and advocate for the needs of all children across the U.S. Families from across area IV attended the fun-filled event where several activities were available including static military vehicle displays, bounce houses, adult tricycles, various games, and face painting. Children also had the opportunity to meet the mascots of the Samsung Lions, Daegu’s professional baseball team.
As with any event, it takes proactive and constant involvement from all parties involved in order for it to be a success and the 25th Trans. Bn. ceased the opportunity to make a difference.
“If 25th hadn’t partnered with us, we could not have had this event,” said Gerri Withers, the Area IV Chief for Child Youth and Schools Services and a native of Fairbanks Alaska.
25th Trans. Bn. Soldiers were spread out on the field hosting games and events for the children, this allowed the little ones to experience being inside military vehicles, to include those of the 194th Military Police Battalion, who also took part in the event.
“They enjoyed getting on military vehicles and seeing a little bit of what daddy does on the daily, and also getting to play on the jump toys and in the different events they had going on here today,” said Maj. Walter L. Ivory Jr., a brigade operations officer with the 2nd Infantry Division’s Sustainment Brigade, Camp Carroll, Waegwan, Korea and a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.
The transportation battalion Soldiers’ volunteerism and efforts did not go unnoticed by community members or their military leadership.
“We have great Soldiers doing great things,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Almond, the 25th Trans. Bn. Commander and a native of Newnan, Georgia. “It was a great event and our Soldiers continue to make us Proud.”
Almond also explained that when he asked for 10 volunteers for this event, over 20 of his Soldiers raised their hands, a true testament to their selfless service and commitment to their community.
As the “Day for Kids” event came to a close, it proved to be a success for the area IV community and was a reminder of how volunteerism makes a difference. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering in the community, there are many opportunities available.
“If you would like to have that sense of fulfillment and that sense of community and Family, please come and volunteer with Child and Youth Services,” said Khia Wood, an outreach services director with Child and Youth Services and a native of Boston, Massachusetts. “We have more than enough for you to do in the area of sports, child administration, and community events.”