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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by Sgt. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Child and Youth Coordinators, Cindy Culver and Linda Jones, collect presents donated by representatives from the Home Builders Association of Lexington Dec. 5, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (Photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort, Kentucky Army National Guard, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The third annual collaboration for Operation Military Cheer kicked off Dec. 5, 2014 as members of the Home Builders Association of Lexington came together and handed off donated Christmas presents to members of the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Assistance Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
Lead Child and Youth Coordinator, Cindy Culver, helps facilitate most family programs throughout the year. Up to this point, she and the rest of the FAC have prepared mostly by collecting information for children and families for the holiday season.
“Today is when we really start kicking off Operation Military Cheer 2014,” said Culver. “After we receive the donations, we can get to work on providing gifts for tons of military families.”
The HBA filled a box truck with so many donations, that some gifts carried over into the back of another truck. One gift in particular, was greatly appreciated by Cindy.
“Every year we have special requests from children,” said Cindy. “This year a child asked Santa for a Power Wheels toy and, if he got it, he promised to share with his brother. Well the Home Builders Association, without hesitation, granted that child his wish.”
Operation Military Cheer means something different to another Family Assistance Center associate, Child and Youth Coordinator, Linda Jones. For her, Operation Military Cheer is the perfect time to give back to those who have sacrificed for her and others around her.
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Hunt and representatives from both the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Assistance Center and the Home Builders Association of Lexington work together to load a box truck full of toy donations Dec. 5, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (Photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort, Kentucky Army National Guard, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
The representatives from the HBA were very proud to offer the donations. President of Home Builder Cares, and a member of the HBA board, James Monroe, brought his family to include his wife Martha and his daughter Mary.
“This is a very important relationship we have with the members of the Kentucky National Guard,” said James. “I’m happy that my family and I can help our Soldiers.”
Cindy hopes this will be another successful year and is confident in the success of Operation Military Cheer for the years to come.
“At the end of all this,” said Culver. “I have a peace in my heart when I can sit down and eat with my family on Christmas, and know that other families are doing the same thing, with our help. The smiles on their faces mean much more to me than anything else.”
Story courtesy of Morehead State University with contributions by Olivia Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs
High school students from around Kentucky and neighboring states participated in a Kentucky National Guard program hosted by Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., June 23-27, that provided them with future career options. (Photo by Olivia Burton)
MOREHEAD, Ky. — “Life after High School” summer camp wrapped up its second year at Morehead State University on Friday, June 27.
Sponsored by the Kentucky National Guard and hosted by MSU, the one-week camp provided a fun and interactive orientation to career and education options after high school.
Campers at the Kentucky National Guard’s Life After High School negotiate a rope obstacle on a confidence course at Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., June 24, 2014. In addition to the educational and career-oriented opportunities, the students participated in team-building activites such as the ropes course. (Photo by Olivia Burton)
More than 20 campers, high school Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors attended this year’s event. The camp featured activities in space science, agricultural sciences, law and healthcare. Students also interactively explored the importance of preparing for college, business etiquette and education.
“Life after high school was cool because along with the educational experiences we had fun activities too,” said Hailey Stinnett, a Sophomore at Mercer County High School. “Life after high school was an opportunity to meet new people and have new experiences you wouldn’t have if you hadn’t gone to the camp.”
Campers began the week with a career assessment and campus tour. The students were able to begin the camp by examining their talents and passions and discovering the best path for college.
A visit to the Legal Studies Department invited the students to participate in a court case as the jury with Harry Potter on trial.
A variety of team building activities were popular events including a ropes course and free time at the pool.
Students paid a visit to the MSU Farm and got hands on experience with the Department of Agricultural Science. They too hayrides, witnessed an ultrasound performed on a mare and learned about raising crops and livestock.
Students interact with a High-Fidelity Patient Simulator, a computerized mannequin that is programmed to mimic a wide range of illnesses at Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., June 25, 2014. (Photo by Olivia Burton)
As part of the healthcare tour campers visited the Department of Nursing and got an in depth view of the human body by interacting with MSU’s High-Fidelity Patient Simulator, a computerized mannequin that is programmed to mimic a wide range of illnesses.
Campers spent the next day at the Space Science Center where they were able to create and race jiggybots (electrical devices that use different components to vibrate and make the bots move across the ground). They also visited the college’s 21-meter space antenna and learned the ins and outs of space exploration. Lastly, they visited the Star Theater, MSU’s planetarium for a space program and laser light show.
“It is a privilege to welcome the sons and daughters of our service members to campus, and we’re grateful that the Kentucky National Guard chooses Morehead State University to offer family programs like this,” said Max Ammons, MSU’s director of military initiatives. “I was impressed by the National Guard staff and all the folks at MSU who supported the camp. The students had a great time and we hope they visit us again.”
For more photos, visit the Kentucky Guard’s Child and Youth Program’s Facebook page.
See more in this video from Kentucky Guard Child and Youth Programs
Video by Olivia Burton
