COLUMBUS, Ga. (June 19, 2018) - Soldiers brought doughnuts to homeless citizens of Columbus, Georgia, June 12, as part of a "Doughnuts for Dads" program.
In a partnership between Open Door Community House and 3rd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, Soldiers served doughnuts, sausages, coffee and juice to visitors of the homeless ministry program.
Second Lt. Aireal Williams, the assistant personnel officer for 3-16, said her unit interfaces with the community in this manner as a way of giving back. Previously, Williams and her unit volunteered at Hope Harbour, a domestic violence shelter in Columbus, Georgia, tying that effort in with Mother's Day. "Doughnuts for Dads" tied into Father's Day.
"We did something for moms, so we felt that it was necessary to do something for dads since they're both important," said Williams.
The doughnut program was in conjunction with Open Door's showering program, which provides showers and breakfast for unsheltered men and women to aid them in gaining employment. The goal of Open Door, according to Susan Sealy, the director of development, is to "focus on long-term solutions to poverty." This is one among several of their programs.
Helping Williams out was 2nd Lt. Exaviar Godsey, 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, out of Atlanta.
"There are a lot of things that we as Soldiers are not exposed to as much," said Godsey. "So, by coming out and supporting 3-16, we become more connected with human beings and more connected with ourselves. There are people less fortunate than you. So it's our duty as officers and people to give back to them and help out as much as we can."
"We get so wrapped up in our military life that we forget about the community aspect," said Williams. "It's just important to help people who are unable to help themselves."
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