Photo By Staff Sgt. Raekwon Jenkins | Santo Carollo, a Team Rubicon volunteer, folds clothes Sept 11. at Camp Atterbury,...... read more read more
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EDINBURGH, Ind.-- “I felt so strongly about Operation Allies Welcome and Team Rubicon’s initiative that no matter what else I had going on in life I had to make time to come and support it,” said Coleen Martinez. “I saw how this all evolved with our sudden withdrawal of troops and people being left in chaos whilst fearing for their lives. It really moved me to do whatever I can to support our eventual neighbors.”
Operation Allies Welcome provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. Team Rubicon coordinates with the Department of Defense and other organizations to meet the humanitarian needs of the evacuees.
For Martinez, a Team Rubicon volunteer and U.S. Army veteran, Operation Allies Welcome and Team Rubicon gives her a chance to connect with people for whom she has a ton of respect.
“I've been to Afghanistan several times and in my interactions with the Afghans I’ve grown to love the people and culture,” said Martinez. “It tears me up to see what they are going through and how this happened so suddenly.”
Team Rubicon handles the logistics of the donations whether they’re coming inbound, going outbound or inventorying the items. Once packaged, the donations are given to the Red Cross to distribute.
“I try not to take too much time when packaging clothes but I ensure that the clothes match and look good so these people can be proud when they get these packages,” said Martinez. “I'm just thinking all the time about how their faces will look and how they will feel once they get these things. I just want them to feel good.”
Like Martinez, Santo Carollo, a Team Rubicon volunteer, feels the same toward his new neighbors.
“I’m a Marine Corps veteran, and I was in Afghanistan in 2008,” said Carollo. “The local community there was very welcoming and appreciative of us. When I saw this opportunity I jumped at it. I figured it was my turn to give back and do anything I could to help.”
The relocation of Afghan families into Camp Atterbury has created an opportunity for volunteers to come together and assist people in need. The Marine’s turn has brought him fulfillment.
“I’ve definitely felt fulfilled in taking part in this mission,” said Carollo. “It makes me so happy to see veterans and the general public giving back. We’re really holding true to America’s values by being there for people in need. It means a lot to me.”
Team Rubicon accepts new donations for Afghan evacuees from private donors at the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Amphitheater. Donations will be received every day from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m.
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| Date Taken: | 09.29.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2021 14:55 |
| Story ID: | 406271 |
| Location: | INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Volunteer Mission fulfills veterans as they give back, by SSG Raekwon Jenkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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