4th MEB partners with middle school for "MLK Day of Service"

4th MEB partners with middle school for "MLK Day of Service"

Story and Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kelly S. Malone, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Public Affairs

WAYNESVILLE, Missouri -- Soldiers from 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, joined ranks with Waynesville Middle School administrators, AmeriCorps VISTA staff and students to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with the school's fourth annual Martin Luther King, Jr. "Day of Service" celebration held in the school gymnasium, Jan. 20.

According to the organization's website AmeriCorps VISTA, or Volunteers in Service to America, is a national service program designed to fight poverty.

The school district's Service Learning Coordinator, Alba Armenta, says the volunteering Soldiers partnered with the school to instruct kids in creating items to benefit the homeless, low income families and those who have been displaced due to abuse.

"This is the fourth year, and it's awesome to see the Soldiers here today," Armenta said. "It builds relationships with the school district and it shows the community that the Soldiers care to be involved in activities like this."

The day's events touched some volunteers on a personal level as Donovan Jimenez, an 8th grader, tied knots on the fringe of a fleece blanket he made with the help of Pvt. Johnnie Abreu, a medic with 55th Mobility Augmentation Company.

"The blanket will go to help babies in the abuse center," Jimenez said. "I was abused as a baby, so it really helps me mentally because I know from experience how hard it is to go through this situation alone without anybody to help."

At least two attendees say volunteering has been part of their lives before today.

Armenta said she has volunteered for as long as she can remember and that once she began, she just can't consider stopping now.

Spc. Kyle Gorton, a combat engineer with 509th Engineer Company, 5th EN Bn., says he was introduced to volunteering because of the military.

"Back in California, I was part of the [Reserve Officers' Training Corps] and for several years, we volunteered at a local food bank each Thanksgiving bagging groceries for the homeless," Gorton said.

As Gorton manned a laundry detergent station at the event, the rest of the gym was abuzz with chatter while students and Soldiers focused on their stations.

"I am having an awesome time," Gorton said. "You get to come help the kids and show them we're not all scary, macho Army people. It's awesome that we're making all these things for needy people and families."

With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes posted all around the gym, Armenta summed up the day with one befitting everyone's efforts.

"Just like in the words of Martin Luther King, 'everyone can be great because everyone can serve,'" Armenta said.

Many of the items made at the school will benefit the local community through organizations like Good Samaritan, The Genesis Shelter (part of Good Samaritan of the Ozarks), M.O.C.A. (Missouri Ozark Community Agency) head start, Waynesville Animal Shelter, S.A.L.T. (Supporting All Lives Together) and national organizations include Kid's Harbor and Children's Hospital.

More information about AmeriCorps VISTA can be found at http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps.