Altus Air Force Base News

 

A little savings

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Boisvert
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  About 30 children gathered to attend an award culmination ceremony recognizing six super savers and the end of Military Youth Saves month at the Altus Air Force Base 'Wings of Freedom Park' July 30.

During the past month, the 97th Airman Family and Readiness Center collaborated with the 97th Youth Center to lead children in a program designed to encourage children to learn the benefits from saving money.

Mr. Esley Holmes, 97th A&FRC community readiness technician, spoke with the children and told them, "Some of our young people (here) have chosen to accept the commitment to save. My challenge is for everyone to accept the commitment to save and encourage others to do the same. Tell everyone you meet that you are committed to saving."

As part of encouraging youth to take an active part in financial responsibility, the A&FRC hosted a month-long contest to see who could save the most money in a month by working hard, doing chores, and being creative looking for ways to work and earn money.

Six children performed above their peers and received top recognition in the form of certificates, dinner coupons for their family at a local restaurant and plaques. Miss Nicole Gossman, daughter of Tech. Sgt. and Mrs. Jason Gossman, earned an additional gift from the local credit union that sets up a savings account with an initial $25 deposit as the top saver for the month.

Maj. Calvin Daniels, 97th Force Support Squadron commander, spoke to the children and said, "This is a lesson I learned fairly late in life and you are all learning it right now. It is not how much money you make, but it is how much money you can save. This is a very critical lesson that you are learning on money use and if you carry that lesson forward you will see that this is the path to financial freedom."

For more information on the Military Youth Saves program, visit http://www.militarysaves.org/resourcekit/militaryyouth.asp or call the Altus A&FRC, 481-6167.