Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly Calkins | Staff Sgt. Lesley Johnson, supply sergeant, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,...... read more read more
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Operation Home Front, an organization that provides emergency assistance to military personnel and their families, provided immense amounts of school supplies to families of the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and other military families in the surrounding area, Aug. 7.
This is the third year Operation Home Front has organized with their partners, Dollar Tree stores. The school supplies are collected by Dollar Tree from customer donations, then Operation Home Front volunteers gather the supplies to distribute to military personnel.
Meg Pilkington, a Seabrook, S.C. resident, has volunteered with the organization since the beginning of the year.
“We collected 98 backpacks from Operation Home Front and over 5,000 items from Dollar Tree,” said Pilkington. “Supplies were collected from twenty stores, as far away as Greenville, S.C.”
The school supply drive supports military families of enlisted personnel of Staff Sergeant and below.
Sgt. LaMar Resch, Administrative Personnel, 218th MEB, organized the event at the Charleston Readiness Center.
“I received an email from Mona Johnson, who is charge of Family Programs for the Brigade,” said Resch, who collected supplies for her daughter and stepson. “I then coordinated with Ms. Pilkington to provide a location for the school supply distribution.”
It was a successful event, taking place during the monthly training weekend for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, allowing Soldiers to peruse tables full of supplies throughout the weekend.
“It’s important that every Soldier takes care of their family,” said Spc. Damion Chavis, Behavior Health Specialist, 218th MEB, and father of four children. “Every little bit counts.”
In only a week, Resch was able to coordinate efforts with Pilkington.
“We sent emails brigade wide in order to get the word out,” said Resch. “We are trying to reach as many soldiers as possible.”
Any remaining school supplies will be transported to other brigade armories throughout the month and any Soldiers who are in need of assistance with school supplies for their children may contact Sgt. LaMar Resch at 803-465-6009.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2010 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 54659 |
| Location: | CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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