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Service members aid in orphan relief

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shane Ellis
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Lowcountry Orphan Relief received some much needed help Sept. 6 when more than 17 service members from Joint Base Charleston felt the need to give their time and skills during the 2013 Day of Caring.
 
Trident United Way's Day of Caring provides the opportunity for volunteers to partner with local agencies in an effort to increase community engagement, and LOR provides for children who have been abused or neglected and is always in need of volunteers.

More than 2,500 service members participated in the Day of Caring a week early due to scheduled events surrounding the delivery of the final U.S. Air Force C-17. Service members had more than 50 projects to choose from and Lynn Young, LOR founder and director, was happy with the show of support from Joint Base Charleston service members.

"To have this many people here and working is a blessing," said Young. "Our new two-story building recently flooded and we had a lot of repair work to do on the floor. Unfortunately, we don't have the manpower to do everything needed on a daily basis, and at the same time these children don't need to be without supplies. Every moment a volunteer gives us is special and reaches far beyond these walls."

Each member of JB Charleston had their own unique reason for volunteering. Some reflected on their sense of community engagement, others had a parental instinct which drove them to LOR. All of them mentioned a high level of satisfaction felt for giving to such a worthy cause.

"I like volunteering any way I can," said Staff Sgt. Corey McClure, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels technician. "For me it's a way to give back to the community. It makes me feel good about myself, and I hope it makes others feel good when they realize there are people out here who care about them and are willing to help out."

And help out they did. Service members patched and painted walls, installed baseboards and filled orders in the new building to send out to children. Other members worked on the old building which will be used for office space, book storage, the Be a Mentor program and storing baby supplies.

According to Young, LOR currently operates with 25 volunteers and only two full-time employees. And, when orders come in they promise to deliver within 24 hours.

After volunteering at LOR for a day it became clear to JB Charleston service members that just like the U.S. Air Force, the mission of LOR never stops and they always deliver.

"This was a great project to be a part of; I encouraged my team to continue to contribute to LOR after the Day of Caring is over," said Capt. Kimberly Champagne, 315th Airlift Wing program analyst and project leader.

To learn more about getting involved with Lowcountry Orphan Relief, contact Dannielle Hardaway at (843) 747-4948 and visit http://www.lowcountryorphanrelief.org/

For information on Trident United Way's Day of Caring, contact Tricia Lisinski at (843) 566-7187 and visit www.tuw.org