ALU students donate time, goods to various causes

FORT LEE, VA. (March 14, 2013) -- Recently, the second lieutenants of BOLC Class 13-004, under the direction of Capt. Michael Spears, rolled up its sleeves for a good cause. The class performed two community service events that helped many within and outside of the military community.

“This was a great opportunity for us to show our support for the community and for our fellow brothers and sisters in arms,” Spears said.  

Their first community project was a food drive. The class had a friendly competition to see which squad would be able to donate the most.

“The food drive lasted a week, and every squad put its best foot forward,” Spears said.  “Each squad did such an outstanding job collecting food and other needed items that it would have been unfair to say one did better than the others.”  

They decided to give the food donation to the charitable group CARES Inc. Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Shelter is an emergency location for women and children in Petersburg and all the surrounding cities. Thanks to the officers’ selfless service, there are women and children who will not be going to sleep hungry, something they should be proud of, Spears said.

The next day, the officers continued with their community service and volunteered with the American Red Cross. The class got the chance to encourage their fellow Soldiers down range.  At the post office, they arranged belated Christmas cards that go to the troops overseas.  

“Soldiers protect the country year round, but it can be especially hard for them during the holidays.  These cards act as a great moral booster for all troops oversees who protect us.  It is a great way to show them that there are people back home who are thinking about them,” Spears explained.

While at the post office, some of the other lieutenants showed off their culinary arts skills and made sandwiches for the local fire department training school. 

“Little things, such as making sandwiches, are great ways to show people that we care and are appreciative for what they do and what they put on the line to protect us and our loved ones from danger,” one of the participating officers said.     

Lastly, the class prepared fire safety packets to deliver to a local elementary school. 

“Through these packets, children will be able to learn the dangers of fires, precautionary steps to prevent fires and what to do if one occurs.  With this knowledge of fire safety instilled in children’s minds at such a young age, who knows how many lives will be saved,” another officer noted.

The early-March projects were a good way for some of the lieutenants to contribute something to the community, Spears noted.

“With the hustle and bustle of work, it can be easy for us to just expect we are entitled to things when we are really not.  Every moment is precious, and we should share our wealth and time with others, especially those who are less fortunate or are down range protecting our freedom,” Spears said. 

The actual story can be found in the Fort Lee newspaper, the Traveller, at: http://www.fortleetraveller.com/.

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