263rd Maintenance Helps School for At-Risk Teens

WACO, Texas - Volunteering and providing help to the community is a value that the

Soldiers of the 263rd Maintenance Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) said they cherish. They are a team dedicated to giving back to the community.

Volunteers from the Leopard Battalion recently spent a Saturday morning painting the Success Lab bungalows at Midway High School's alternate education center. The Soldiers joined up with Midway High School faculty, ARAMARK Properties, and volunteers from Baylor University to complete the project.

"It's nice to get involved with a large group that cares so much about the students at Midway," said Beau Theimer, an ARAMARK location manager.

For the Soldiers, their spare time is never a sacrifice when the focus is on the best interest of students said Capt. Thomas Davis.

"My dad came out to help us out," said Davis, one of the volunteers. "He has expertise in painting and wanted to contribute to the project."

Success Lab, which currently has a population of 160 students, is designed to help at-risk teens graduate from high school on time. Faculty members provide academic support and counseling.

The program also relies on volunteers to provide support and guidance to the students, according to Jason Bunting, the principal of Midway High School.

"In today's culture, the need for this type of program has sparked its creation across all school districts," Bunting said. "We currently have a passing rate of 98 percent."

(Spc. Ann Marie White from the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion contributed to this story)