Japanese orphans’ day brightened by station volunteers

Photo By Sgt. Aaron Henson | 1st Lt. Donovan Holloway, air intelligence officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, plays with a Japanese orphan during a Single Marine Program volunteer event at Kaihoku-En Children’s Home in Houfu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nov. 14, 2015. The children interacted and built relationships with the 18 service members during the visit. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet new people and have an afternoon filled with interaction. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)  

IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

11.14.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

IWAKUNI, Japan - Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, volunteered with the Single Marine Program to visit the Kaihoku-En Children’s Home in Houfu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nov. 14, 2015.

The children and 18 volunteers played ping pong, racquetball, monkey in the middle, arm wrestled, colored books, played house and played the piano.

“It feels wonderful visiting the children,” said Oana Ivanoff, Marine Lounge manager at the SMP. “We see the kids smiling and how happy they are. I enjoy everything about this visit and seeing the kids with no more energy to keep playing.”

The children interacted and built relationships with the 18 service members during the visit.

“I wanted to put smiles on faces and have fun,” said Lance Cpl. Billy McNair, aviation ordnance technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12. “I’m chasing after kids and throwing balls all over the place. We’re having fun.”

This is approximately the 16th time in the last four years station service members volunteered their time and visited the children.

Kawasumi Mitsuyo, children’s home director at Kaihoku-En Children’s Home, said the children are excited and have fun with the volunteers when they visit.

“Even though we have a lot of volunteer opportunities through the SMP, the children’s home is the most wanted and successful one,” said Ivanoff. “Everyone can make a difference. They can volunteer at the SMP anytime and get involved.”

For future SMP volunteer opportunities, call 253-4656.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2015
• Date Posted: 11.16.2015 17:47
• Story ID: 182074
• Location: IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP