MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
Operation Homefront hosted the Operation
Homefront-Carolinas Back to School Brigade at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry
Point Aug. 15.
The event was held to assist service members and
their families prepare for the upcoming school year by providing backpacks,
paper, protractors, calculators, dry erase boards and a variety of other school
supplies to students.
“This year we are providing almost 200 backpacks to
families who desired to have one,” said Tammy Hickman, the Operation Homefront liaison
at Cherry Point. “This helps offset costs for families. Parents today are
spending more now than they ever have on school supplies.”
Operation Homefront received more school supplies
than what was needed through donations provided by local
businesses, and had extra backpacks to distribute for those on their waiting
list.
“During events like this it’s hard to reach everyone.
This year is different – everyone who
signed up got what they needed and that’s what it’s all about,” said Hickman.
“It feels wonderful giving back to the community and helping those who help us
every day through their diligent service to our nation.”
Volunteers with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron
28 and members of the local community assisted Operation Homefront this year by
filling backpacks with school supplies and distributing them during the event.
“This was my first time volunteering for an event
like this and it was definitely worth it,” said Cpl. Nicholas Jenkins, an
aviation communication systems technician with MTACS-28. “As we help our fellow
Marines we are increasing family readiness, which increases operational
readiness at the squadrons.”
The squadrons at Cherry Point pride themselves in
supporting the mission of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Increasing family readiness
enables Marines to do what they are asked without having to concentrate on whether
their family is provided for, according to Jenkins.
“At one point I was the individual coming to these
types of events to receive school supplies, and I remember how much it helped
me and my family,” said Jenkins. “The families are in for a treat with all the
donations we received.”
Just as Jenkins hoped, families were more than
grateful to receive the assistance this year.
“Last year I brought the kids to get a backpack and
it was a good experience; that was one of the reasons why I brought them back
again this year,” said Jackie Wagner, a resident of Cherry Point. “This takes a
financial burden off the families and I have recommended families to
participate in the future.”
For more information on upcoming events hosted by
Operation Homefront visit www.operationhomefront.net/nc.