YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. It is just the start of the 101 days of summer and everyone is looking to stay safe but still have fun outside. -- Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 7 helped out at Yucca Mesa Elementary School as part of the Combat Center’s Adopt-a-School program.
The six Marines volunteered their time at Yucca Mesa to help the school kids with their field day activities.
The Marines coached many of the teams in the kick-ball portion of the field day and manned different stations when the day shifted to water activities.
“I’ve never volunteered like this,” said Cpl Shawn Asencio, administrative clerk, Headquarters and Services Company, CLB-7. “I didn’t even know we adopted a school until someone asked me if I wanted to volunteer.”
Asencio was one of the six enthusiastic Marines who led the kids though their activities and encouraged them to do their best.
“These kids are enthusiastic,” Asencio said. “They're really pumped up and really love the competition.”
The morning of kickball was fun. The afternoon turned into a scorcher, getting up to 106 degrees. That afternoon, the kids cooled off by playing water games.
For many of the Marines it was their first time interacting with young students and they did not know what to expect.
"They were just a lot more playful than I expected," said Cpl. Lucas Williams, optics technician, CLB-7.
The Adopt-a-School program is also a way for the Marines to interact with the local community.
"We get stuck at the base a lot. It's nice to get off base and see some of the local people," Williams said.
Along with helping the students of Yucca Mesa, the volunteers talked with teachers of the school as well. They answered questions about their jobs and about their time in the community.
“This is something I totally want to do again,” said Asencio. “I would go back to my shop and tell the guys what a great time I had.”