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Sumter group donates check to family readiness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Young Professionals of Sumter donated a $3,300 check to the Friends of the Airman and Family Readiness Center at the Palmetto Oyster House June 28, 2012.

The donated funds came from a 5K recovery road race organized by Bronwyn McElveen, Young Professionals of Sumter vice-chair, and will go to support Shaw through the Airman Family Readiness Center.

"The Airman Family Readiness Center seemed the perfect way to directly benefit our Sumter-based military men and women," McElveen said.

The Sumter community, to include the Young Professionals of Sumter, the Sumter Police department, Tuomey Medical Center, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Chick-fil-a, Swan Lake park rangers and other Sumter employees and citizens helped support the recovery road race and Shaw.

"I am proud of everyone who took part," McElveen explained.

The race started at the health pavilion at Swan Lake's Iris Gardens, and finished at the Iris Gardens parking area with 187 individuals participating in the run.

The race served as a means to raise money to support the base and programs provided by the Airmen Family Readiness Center.

"We wanted to bring a run to the city of Sumter that would encourage people to get active while bringing the community together," McElveen said.

The Friends of the Airmen Family Readiness Center is a private organization that accepts donations and funds on behalf of the Airman Family Readiness Center, and then distributes the funds between the different programs offered.

"The Friends of the Airmen Family Readiness Center was created because, by law, the Airmen Family Readiness Center cannot receive donated funds directly," explained Senior Master Sgt. Rashaun Fleming, 20th Operation Support Squadron airfield manager and president of Friends of the Airman Family Readiness Center. "However, they can receive donated funds through a liaison, and that's what role we serve."

By financing the programs offered by the Airmen Family Readiness Center, it helps support the overall mission, and allows Airmen and their family members' options through these programs.

Programs range from deployed spouses dinners, which get the spouses of deployed individuals out in a supportive, encouraging environment while also providing food and entertainment to the upkeep of the computers in the Airman Family Readiness Center that can be used when needed.

"I teach my Airmen everyday it's our responsibility to give back to the community, so it felt good to have the community give back to us," Fleming explained. "It's just awesome."

"Shaw AFB is a huge part of Sumter and we are honored to have such an outstanding presence in our community," McElveen exclaimed. "The Young Professionals of Sumter and the city of Sumter want to support Shaw families in any way, as they work for our nation and fight for our freedom."