FORT SILL, Oklahoma (April 27, 2021) -- To celebrate the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), the Fort Sill Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation hosted a Spring Festival April 24, at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA).
This year’s theme is “Military children and youth: A resilient force in a changing world.” The festival was part of MWR’s monthlong tribute to military kids.
All LETRA activities were free during the festival, and Army Community Service employees had information tables and games to promote MOMC. April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month, said Kimika Louis, Family Advocacy Program manager.
“Our goal is to bring awareness and prevention of child abuse not only at Fort Sill, but also nationally, through outreach activities,” Louis said. “We’re also encouraging families to have healthy relationships and to bond with their children.”
Some of the ACS programs at the festival included, the New Parent Support Group, Exceptional Family Member Program, and Child and Youth Services. Representatives from those programs spoke about their services, and handed out pamphlets. They also had giveways such as crayons and coloring books, paper airplanes, erasers, hacky sacks, T-shirts, and more.
Robin Garrett, Child and Youth Services Parent and Central Outreach director, said because of the pandemic the decision was made to have the festival outdoors where people could spread out. She said she wanted military families to know that they are appreciated.
“We are happy to have military children in our care because they are serving, too,” she said. Today is a day for military families to have fun together with outdoor activities.
Families took advantage of the LETRA amenities, such as the paddleboats, miniature golf, corn hole, and archery during the three-hour event. Event sponsors included Raytheon, Corvias, and the Fort Sill Federal Credit Union.
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