JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TX -The students and teachers of Briscoe Elementary school received a very welcomed surprise when the 187th Medical Battalion, Health Readiness Center of Excellence, or HRCoE, delivered over $10,000 worth of school supplies as part of the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Adopt-a-School program. Lead by the students Bravo Company Graduate School, Masters of Social Work, or MSW Program, the battalion conducted the massive school supply drive by reaching out to the HRCoE students and staff.
2nd Lieutenant Jamie Webb, who helped organize the drive said, "Our Master's in Social Work class is working hard to support our local community by participating in service projects and developing events that help meet the needs of those in our most vulnerable, oppressed, and underserved local populations." She said her fellow students were genuinely excited when the battalion agreed to allow the MSW students to spearhead the school supply drive this year.
"Students from Fort Sam Houston taking action is a great model for our kids to see", said Briscoe Principal Jennifer Emerson. "I am honored, and I know my teachers and the families are blessed; this means the world to us."
The 187th Medical Battalion sponsors Briscoe Elementary as part of the Fort Sam Houston Adopt-a-School Program. In past years, the battalion Soldiers and civilians have organized numerous fund raisers and holiday toy drives. They also mentor students by visiting the school throughout the school year. Webb and her follow MSW students carried on the tradition of volunteer service by coordinating this school supply drive. "I spoke with each of the graduate programs about our supply drive and explained the extent of the need for the students of Briscoe Elementary School," said Webb. "Ninety-two percent of the children in this school qualify for free or reduced lunches and for many of these children, the food they receive at school is the only food they have access to. When these families have no food in their pantries and they have to decide between paying the electric or utility bill and purchasing pencils and crayons, school supplies simply cannot be the priority."
Beyond the many fundraisers, the 187th Medical Battalion Soldiers also serve as examples of excellence for the students. "When the students see the Soldiers on our campus it brings an excitement," said Emerson. "It's like the Soldiers are the kid's superheroes, and it's real life. The Soldiers are role models. I thank the Soldiers for the taking on this project and making it as big and bountiful is incredible."
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