By Paul Fallon
FAIRMONT — The West Virginia Army National Guard provides numerous services to both state and country.
From assisting with flood relief to defending the nation’s borders, the National Guard is called upon to help residents in various parts around the globe.
On Tuesday, members of the Fairmont guard unit gave back to the local community.
Sgt. 1st Class Terry Riley and Spc. Lynda L. Tulanowski came to East Park Elementary to distribute 12 backpacks to students. The backpacks were filled with approximately $30 worth of school supplies.
This is one of many civic activities the local guard unit undertakes, Riley said. He pointed out that he and Tulanowski solicited donations of the supplies throughout the community. Various guardsmen also donated funds to help purchase the backpacks filled with supplies.
After obtaining the items, the guardsmen then approached the Marion County Board of Education to see where the backpacks and supplies should be distributed. The items were then handed out to students from kindergarten to fourth grade.
“It inspires you to see their little faces,” Tulanowski said about handing the packs to the children.
“They felt good to give to the children, and it felt good for us to receive it,” said Carrie Ann Hendershot, East Park Elementary School principal. “You could just see the joy on the children’s faces.”
“There are a lot of well-deserving students here,” Riley said.
He pointed out that this will most likely not be the last time the local guardsmen will be distributing the school supplies in the area. He noted that they will be heading to another school in the county to give out the school supplies.
“We try to do a service project every month,” Riley said.
The guardsmen in the area normally decide what type of service project they are going to perform during a weekend of drills.
E-mail Paul Fallon at pfallon@timeswv.com.
