Photo By Pfc. Joseph Altemus | Capt. Deon Sanders, the G-1 operations officer for Marine Forces Reserve, speaks to...... read more read more
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MARRERO, La. -- The West Bank Community School recognized two
Marine Forces Reserve Marines for their volunteer mentorship efforts
during its annual Awards Day Ceremony at the Marrero Alternative
School, May 18.
Sgt. Viola Shivers, Sgt. Warren Bernard, and other service members who work for MarForRes visited the school twice monthly throughout the school year in order to speak to at-risk students about character development and achieving goals, said Capt. Deon Sanders, the MarForRes G-1 operations officer and volunteer coordinator.
“I’ve seen many children go from public school to alternative, many of them not coming back and going to juvenile detention and then prison,” said Shivers, a separations clerk for the MarForRes Installation Personnel Administration Center. She said we want the kids to know there is life after alternative school.
The Marines being involved in the school helped make a difference in students’ lives, said Preston Gassery, the school’s principal.
“They’re impact has been very directional,” he said. “They’ve introduced themselves as caring adults. They’ve helped us improve our academics with students who couldn’t sit still.”
“The Marines are very important to the success of this school. Forty-five out of 57 kids passed,” said Gassery. “The impact is incredible.”
Cassell Olive, the family involvement coordinator, said, “Our kids don’t get time to PT (physical training). The only time they get to be physical is when the Marines come out.”
“They really help the kids out. It’s great to see the kids play ball with them,” said Alvin Mack, the coach for the school.
“Sgt. Bernard is an inspiring person,” said Staff Sgt. Orville Ancor, the operations chief for 4th Marine Division. “He does it for the community. He loves volunteering and giving back to the community. He likes to be that role model that kids can look up to.”
Royal Terrell Jr., a student attending the school, said, “They encourage me to stay in school. I like the way they volunteered. They showed us teamwork and respect.”
MarForRes participates in several community events annually to help build strong relations between Marines and the community.
Most events Marines do on an active duty status are funded by Congress, and Reserve Marines go on an active duty status to participate in the events.
Marines from MarForRes also do local volunteer events on their own time using funds out of their own pockets to interact with the community.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2011 15:42 |
| Story ID: | 71154 |
| Location: | MARRERO, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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