Fort Carson makes a difference

By Billie GarnerOctober 30, 2008

Make a Difference Day at Fort Carson
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Carson makes a difference
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FORT CARSON, Colo. - Ironhorse Park is a place for family fun, but keeping the grounds pristine can take some work. Luckily, hundreds of volunteers cared enough to spend hours beautifying the park, playgrounds and common areas during Fort Carson's annual Make A Difference Day Oct. 25. Soldiers and Families also worked together by doing general maintenance and cleaning the Fort Carson Military Family Housing Community.

"Approximately 500 volunteers are working today," said Joey Bautista, Fort Carson volunteer coordinator, Army Community Service.

Many volunteers arrived at 7 a.m. at the Ironhorse Park pavilion and were treated to breakfast prepared by the Boy Scouts.

Eager to start, volunteers began cleaning and repairing pathways, raking leaves, clearing ditches of trash, trimming bushes and painting. Repairs were also made to playgrounds in military housing areas. Supplies and tools were provided by Fort Carson. Volunteers were encouraged to bring their own rakes. Work boots or sturdy shoes and work gloves were required.

"It's great to see what the kids are doing; they are always willing to help," said Veronica Hoard, commander of Colorado Springs Young Marines. The CSYM is one of the youth groups working to clean up park grounds.

This marks the 18th year Fort Carson has participated in MADD. The annual event is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors and is the largest community-service volunteer effort conducted on a national level. It is one way to support the military community and make Fort Carson the "Best Hometown in the Army."

"Cleaning the park is a very good way to pull the community together," said Jamie Myers, ACS volunteer. Myers volunteered with her son, Zack, member of Cub Scout Pack 264.

After much hard work, volunteers regrouped for a free lunch and a chance to win prizes.

"The food was donated by the Fort Carson Commissary and $800 worth of door prizes was donated by the post exchange and Baja Communications," said Bautista. While enjoying lunch, the volunteers were entertained by Fort Carson's musical group, Harmony In Motion.