Soldiers help 100 Columbia students

By Andrew McIntyre, Fort Jackson LeaderDecember 18, 2014

Soldiers help 100 Columbia students
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Dec. 18, 2014) -- Soldiers and staff at the Soldier Support Institute are in the holiday spirit of giving.

Capt. Theresa Fouda, commander of Company E, 369th Adjutant General Battalion, and 1st Sgt. Nichole Tavares Gibbs brought a little Christmas spirit to 100 local area school children.

The Soldiers hosted a holiday program to assist children of families in need this holiday season.

The Soldiers placed 100 angels on a Christmas tree, representing each of the children they would like to help this holiday season.

"With this program we have helped children in need receive school supplies this holiday season," Fouda said.

Tavares-Gibbs said the program, which ran from Nov. 14 through Dec. 15, was well received.

"Each angel on the tree is either blue for a boy or pink for a girl with ages written on them," Tavares-Gibbs said.

Fouda said the gifts received will be delivered on Dec. 18.

"Most of these children do not have backpacks for class so for us to help out of the sheer kindness of our heart, I believe will really make their day and make them happy," Fouda said

Capt. Cyndia Jackson, who is assigned to Company E, 369th, said she was happy to participate in the program.

"I decided to help out because it's a good cause," Jackson said. "There are a lot of kids out there who are less fortunate and do not necessarily have the means to have a great Christmas. I have been blessed to be able to have everything I need and more, so I just wanted to be able to be a blessing to somebody else."

According to Fouda, as of Monday each of the 100 children will receive a gift for Christmas.

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