MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Children visited Camp Wilson through the Kids Care Club, to pass out Halloween candy bags to Marines currently conducting Mojave Viper pre-deployment training Monday.
The Kids Care Club is an Armed Services YMCA program that gives children the opportunity to give back to the community.
The objective of the program is to introduce giving and caring for others by choosing a community project to work on together, according to the Kids Care Club Web site.
This was the first time the Kids Care Club visited Camp Wilson to support the Marines.
There were 11 children and nine parents that attended the event. All the children participating had a Marine parent. They passed out a total of 110 candy bags and letters to Marines.
The children were able to visit Marines inside the concession area of Camp Wilson, including the Warriors Exchange and the Warriors Club. They also were able to visit Marines in the Mojave Viper Support Detachment Command Post, including the supply shop and the camp commandants’ office.
“The Marines were very excited to receive an unexpected visit and gift from the children,” said Toinette Ishee, Kids Care Club director. “The children were equally
excited to see the joy they brought to the Marines.”
Along with the candy bags and letters, Marines received an ASYMCA pamphlet, and a miniature folded pocket flag with a prayer inside to help them through their training.
“They are training out here for 30 days,” said Capt. Stanton Lee, Mojave Viper camp commandant. “If they don’t see anything from home they can get a sort of tunnel vision.”
On average, there are three units going through Mojave Viper at a time in preparation for their deployment to Iraq.
“It is good for these Marines to see what they are fighting for,” said Lee. “We should make this a normal occurrence.”
Lee explained that the event makes good community relations with the family members aboard the base.
“Overall the event went well and we would love to continue to support our troops,” said Ishee.
The Kids Care program is offered to children who have participated in the Operation Hero program.
It is an after school enrichment program where children meet once a week for ten weeks.
In the past, the children have created gift items and cards for veterans, the elderly, children in need and those wounded in Iraq.