593rd Scores for charity

Eight teams from the 593rd Sustainment Brigade faced off during the Fall Classic, an annual ultimate football tournament held as a charity event that raised over $700 for Santa's Castle on JBLM.

The Santa's Castle organization collects toys and monetary donations year round to provide gifts to the children of active duty, lower enlisted service members in the JBLM community, who are experiencing financial difficulties, according to the organizations website.

"It means a great deal to us at the Santa's Castle, to have organizations who want to help out in this way," said Anita Varso, purchasing officer, Santa's Castle. "Getting involved and helping each other is truly a great feeling."

Rain and mud proved to make the annual tournament a sloppy mess, but the Soldiers remained motivated and enthusiastic to take part in the single elimination tournament.

"Some of the teams have been practicing and preparing for this tournament for weeks. They were very excited for the tournament to start," said 1st Lt. Jeffery Wheeler, 593rd SB. "This brigade is always very competitive. But more importantly this game gets everyone together and out of the office to shake off some of the stress and to have some fun together."

As each team suffered a loss and fell to the side, the undefeated 24th Quartermaster Company took home the large brass trophy and bragging rights this year.

"It means a lot to me and the team to come out here and win the tournament. It shows that we put forth all our effort to play as well as we did today," said Pvt. Stephen Walls, 24th QM Co. "It is good for us to contribute and help others and to give back to those in need at any time."

After the trophies were handed out and the high fives passed around, the Soldiers of the 593rd SB could look back on another fun event and the joy of helping out fellow Soldiers.

"I hope the Soldiers go into the holiday season with a great feeling. I am proud of the Soldiers and their accomplishments, even more so than the trophy," said Col. Steven Fletcher, rear provisional commander, 593rd SB. "Everyone out there should be proud of what they were able to contribute to the children of JBLM. I know we can do our jobs, but what makes us great human beings and great Soldiers are things like this event."