IDYLLWILD, Calif. -- Combat Center Marines from Headquarter Battalion worked as volunteers during the Desert Arc Sports and Recreation Camp at Camp Ronald McDonald, here, Oct. 3, 2015.
The Marines helped campers with various activities, such as arts and crafts, archery, fishing, painting, basketball and bocce ball.
“We participate in this event because it gives our Marines and sailors a chance to interact with the people they are working to defend,” Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Baker, chaplain, Headquarters Battalion. “We have participated in this event before and campers love to have the Marines here with them.”
Desert Arc helps physically and mentally challenged people with enhancing the quality of their daily lives. The program serves more than 600 clients throughout the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin. Some of the services Desert Arc provides are vocational training, job placement and independent living.
“We host this event to bring our clients out of their usual environments and allow them to have a little bit more freedom for the weekend while still keeping them in a safe place,” said Lisa Lester, volunteer counselor, Desert Arc. “The campers always have a great time, no matter what they’re doing here.”
Eight Marines from the Center Personnel Office, Protestant Chapel, Center Logistics Division and Center Magazine Area participated in the event this year.
“Coming and helping the campers today was a lot of fun,” said Sgt. Nicholas Frausto, chaplain’s assistant, Protestant Chapel. “I would gladly come out here to do this again.”