Fort Bragg community comes together to help Family rebuild

By Army's ArmyJune 4, 2010

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - After a local military Family, the Batts, lost their home in a recent fire that claimed all of their belongings, the Army's Army, the world's only volunteer organization of citizens and businesses who've pledged their moral, physical and spiritual support to those in military, stepped-up to help this Family in their time of need.

The Army's Army notified their more than 1,000 members about the emergency and members quickly got involved, donating items such as gift cards and household appliances. One Army's Army member even went as far as organizing a "Penny Drive" at Irwin Intermediate School on Fort Bragg where she teaches to help raise money.Aca,!A..Aca,!A..

"After learning about the Batts Family's emergency and hearing the terrible news, I thought, 'how can I get involved''" said Martha Gabriel, an Army's Army member and teacher at Irwin Intermediate School. "One of my fifth grade students, Camy Bass, who previously organized a fundraiser for Haiti earthquake victims, came to mind, and I thought she'd like to get involved. I reached out to her as well as school administrators to see if we could start a school wide 'Penny Drive' fundraiser."

All students in fifth and sixth grades at Irwin Intermediate School will participate in the two-week fundraiser from now through Wednesday. Students will receive manila envelopes to collect pennies and other currency.

A check will be presented to the Batts Family at the end of the fundraiser.Aca,!A..Aca,!A..

"This is a perfect example of the ways in which (the community) supports military Families," said John Meroski, chairman of the Army's Army.Aca,!A..