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Community donates time, school supplies

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  On Aug. 15, following the recent Summer Splash event, the city of Sumter continued to give back to Shaw AFB by donating funds that were used to buy school and recreational supplies for the 20th Force Support Squadron Child Development Center and Youth Center.

On this day MicKayla Ketter, Crestwood High School varsity cheerleading captain, Tatyana White, Crestwood High School varsity cheerleading captain and Allison Cox, Crestwood High School junior varsity cheerleading captain, visited the CDC and Youth Center to entertain the children as well.

The funds donated by the city of Sumter were used to purchase supplies such as glue sticks, composition notebooks, basketballs, batteries and chalk to be distributed to teachers and their students.

"We were very excited to get the new school supplies, especially the journals," explained Lori Eberhardt, 20th FSS CDC program leader for the preschool age group. "The children use their journals daily and as you can imagine, they use the pages quickly. Thank you very much for helping the children develop from drawing and scribbling, to writing letters, numbers and words."

Following the donation of the school supplies, cheerleaders from Crestwood High School in Sumter prepared to entertain the children at the CDC.

When asked why they came to see the children they responded, "We cheer to support our school and the kids here," White explained.

"We love showing our school spirit," Cox added.

"Cheering is also a great team building skill, and it's about having fun," Ketter concluded.

During their visit they entertained young children and teenagers as well. They visited many classrooms and played with the younger children.

The teachers and children then gathered outside where they demonstrated some of their cheering routines they do when performing.

During the afternoon they gathered in the Youth Center gym. Here they explained the importance of stretching before playing sports and led the children through various stretches.

They also explained the importance of good sportsmanship and encouraged the children to be supportive of everyone playing, regardless of the team they are on.

They then taught the children basic cheering moves and cheers and led them in playing command-oriented teamwork games.

"It was good," exclaimed 6-year-old Shalyn Wilkins daughter of Army Staff Sgt. Roderick Wilkins, Third Army/U.S. Army Central and Sherry Waters. "I liked the cheering."

"I liked it because of the fun games," explained 8-year-old Kylie Miller daughter of Tech. Sgt. Maria Miller, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron.

"I liked it because they taught me new cheers I didn't know," said 9-year-old Uniyah Briscoe daughter of Staff Sgt. Martina McKoy, 20th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate and Staff Sgt. Mikkel McKoy, U.S. Air Forces Central.

At the CDC they strive to broaden children's horizons not only through academic education, but also extracurricular activities.

"Here we foster a learning environment through play," concluded Margaret Coleman, 20th FSS CDC clerk.