Story and Photo by
Sgt. Gaelen Lowers
8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS ? When Soldiers deploy, they must deal with the hardships of traveling great distances, often putting their lives on the line.
But one of the hardest obstacles to overcome is leaving their children behind.
This is when U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii?s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation steps in and offers programs to keep children engaged.
But times are getting tougher for the military and its families. Funds aren?t as readily available as they used to be. Outside support donations are required to keep programs like Youth Sports rejuvenated.
To keep kids active, the NFL and its Play 60 organization donated equipment to FMWR?s Youth Sports program. This donation was just the ?shot in the arm? that the program needed to stay fresh, said Michael Amarosa, director, DFMWR.
?Our Youth Sports and the NFL Play 60 have been actively engaged for a number of years. (The NFL) had notified us that they wanted to provide a donation of equipment to our Youth Sports program,? Amarosa said. ?It always enhances the program when we can get new equipment. Plus, the children get excited when they learn that the equipment is coming, literally, from the NFL.?
The donated equipment includes two ?flag in a bag? kits for flag football and a youth football field fitness kit. The fitness kit includes flying discs, agility ladders and hurdles.
The NFL launched the Play 60 program in October 2007 to tackle childhood obesity. The National Youth Health and Fitness Campaign focuses on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.
Attending the donation ceremony were Detroit Lion?s wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, and former NFL strong safety and nine-time Pro Bowler John Lynch.
?The military child sacrifices a lot when their moms and dads are gone protecting our freedom, and anything we can do to help them just be kids and enjoy life is a good thing,? Lynch said.
And with their donation, the FMWR expects to improve the lives of military children for many years to come.
?The NFL and the Pro Bowl have always been big supporters of us here in Hawaii,? Amarosa said. ?We completely appreciate the NFL and their donation to our programs that directly supports our military families.?
Category: Army Community Covenant, Army Family Covenant, Community
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