FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Six Fort Carson Soldiers volunteer at a Colorado Springs Salvation Army five days a week preparing meals for the less fortunate.
The Company K, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Soldiers volunteer their time while awaiting transition out of the military under the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, which was developed by the Department of the Army and Veterans Affairs.
"It makes me feel good to know I can help over 200 people get at least one meal, if not two, a day," said Pfc. Richard Polk, 64th BSB.
"I support the volunteer program wholeheartedly," said Capt. Bryan McCarroll, commander, Company K, 64th BSB. "It's an opportunity to get underutilized Soldiers … helping the community helping themselves, as well as building a resume for later on in life to show that they not only care about themselves, but also care about the people in the community."
The Soldiers help in various ways from cooking to cleaning to food delivery.
"To us, having these Soldiers here means mission accomplished; we have the hands of these Soldiers that help us get through the day," said Alma Scott, Colorado Springs Salvation Army volunteer coordinator.
"We could not help nearly as many people as we do without the volunteers. We rely on them to make what we do happen," said Kevin Brocksieck, Salvation Army director of public relations.
"Volunteering is a chance for Soldiers to give back to the community and to help their self-development at the same time and a lot of them don't even know the program exists," said Joey Bautista, installation volunteer coordinator.
"I enjoy volunteering because I get to help other people and there are a lot of retired veterans that come here to the Salvation Army and it makes me feel appreciated," said Spc. Brandy Weber, Company K, 64th BSB.
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