FORT HOOD, Texas--Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, took time out their work schedule to help Brookhaven Elementary School pass out fundraiser orders Nov. 3.
"I know personally that we would not have been able to do the fundraiser without the support of the unit," said Linda Pelton, the treasurer and fundraising chairman for Brookhaven Elementary. "The truck arrives around 1:3 p.m., and we have everything ready for the parents to pick up between dismissal and 6:00 p.m.
"I got here a few minutes late, and the Soldiers already had everything laid out on the tables. I really appreciate that," added Pelton, who has worked with the school since 2007.
Through yearly fundraisers, Brookhaven is able to provide things outside of the school budget to include playground equipment, picnic tables and planned events like field day. Assisting with the fundraiser not only allowed Soldiers to help the school raise money but it also allowed them to interact with the local community.
"The main thing about the Adopt-A-School Program is that it builds a partnership between the school and the post and it helps the community," said Sgt. 1st Class Cory Smith, the fire support noncommissioned officer assigned to, 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Reg. "A lot of these (Soldiers) actually want to volunteer at schools. They want to help kids tutor and do things for (their) community. This is a chance to help," added Smith, a native of New London, Wisc.
The cavalry troopers helped move boxes full of fundraiser orders and alphabetized them to prepare for parents to pick them up.
Students walked alongside helping "Headhunter" troopers as they eagerly looked for the box that had their name on it.
"This shows kids that the military does care about them," said Sgt. Leonard Little, a cavalry scout and the tasking noncommissioned officer for 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Reg. "It puts a light into their eyes and lets them know 'hey if my dad is deployed, there are other Soldiers that will come and help us,'" stated the Wadesboro, N.C., native.
In addition to helping with the fundraiser, Soldiers also passed out Santa Workshop fliers. Squadron Soldiers will also volunteer with Brookhaven students once the workshop kicks off.
Social Sharing