SSI NCOs donate time, money to VA

By STEVE REEVES, Fort Jackson LeaderSeptember 9, 2009

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Non-commissioned officers from Fort Jackson's Soldier Support Institute recently donated $3,000 to the Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Five fundraising events, such as bake sales and car washes, were held to raise money for the Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia.

The initiative culminated with the donation to the VA's Social Work Emergency Fund, which is used to support veterans in need of house payment and utilities assistance, bus fare, clothing and food.

A check was presented to officials from the VA facility Sept. 3.

The SSI's fifth-annual NCO Dining-In event, meant to commemorate the achievements of non-commissioned officers, also had the theme of "NCOs Making a Lifelong Community Investment."

"We wanted to tie in the theme, 'NCOs Making a Lifetime Commitment,' with the Year of the NCO," said Sgt. Maj. Shawanda Martin, the SSI's EO Training Component NCO. "We all wanted to give back to the community. We've built a great relationship with the VA."

The involvement of the NCOs went beyond raising money.

They also volunteered at the VA Aug. 24-27, spending time talking and sharing military experiences with veterans. The volunteers also watched movies, played games and did other activities with the veterans.

"Those veterans supported the country, so we felt it was only fitting to support them," Martin said. "To brighten someone's day was really meaningful."

Martin said spending time with the veterans at the VA hospital was one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.

"It gave me perspective and focus," she said. "It made me want to do better as an individual and an NCO, and to do better with the life I've been given."

Martin said an arrangement is being made for the group to continue volunteering at the VA hospital once a month.

Sgt. 1st Class Nichole Tavares-Gibbs of the Financial Management School, was coordinator of the NCO Dining-In program and participated in the fundraising efforts.

She said the fundraising campaign showed the benefit of pooling efforts to accomplish a goal.

"A lot of NCOs here at the Soldier Support Institute volunteer on their own," Tavares-Gibbs said. "But we get so much more done as a group."