Children learn to give at base youth center

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Boys and Girls Club of America Torch Club here is helping collect donations for the Feds Feed Families food drive through Aug. 31, 2014.

The Feds Feed Families campaign is collecting non-perishable items to donate to families in need in the Altus area.

The Torch Club will be leading the food drive at the youth center, said Robert Gallegos, 97th Force Support Squadron, recreation specialist. They will also solicit donations for the campaign.

"I believe it is a worthy campaign; with the turn our economy has taken there are families struggling daily to put a meal on their table," said Gallegos.

The opportunity for the children to participate in the campaign is important because it provides an awareness of the struggles of Americans who don't have the means to have a meal every day.

The Torch Club has also been involved in service projects such as clean ups around the Youth Center and ball field areas.

The youth center offers children an opportunity to get involved with community service at an early age, but is there to serve them as well, according to Gallegos.

The Dog Daze of Summer was part of the Altus Library's Summer Reading Program that ran from June 16 to July 31. Members of the library staff brought books and interactive activities to the youth center for willing participants, ages 9 through 13.

On July 22, Allyson Rodriguez, 97th Force Support Squadron library technician, gathered a group of nine children around a table. She told them they won't be reading a book, but making origami instead.

As she explained the origin behind the art, many of the children eagerly asked what they will be doing and were pleased to find out they'd be making several different animals.

For the next 45 minutes the kids turned flat pieces of paper into hopping frogs, barking dogs, and were given instruction to make a pig on their own.

The program had seven events throughout the summer, said Maureen Wortham, a library technician who plans special events and programs. The kids were energetic, participated well and enjoyed snacks afterward. "We want to support lifelong learning through reading, encourage them to be inquisitive and open to new topics and forge relationships with the kids so they will visit their library," said Wortham.