Pauline Champion (right) stands with kindergarteners and Ms. Moore from Dillard Academy. Champion, a civilian with the 916th Operations Support Squadron, helped organized the school supply drive at the 916ARW. (USAF courtesy photo)
9/27/2012 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- It's a month into the new school year. Children hustle on and off busses, parents race around to school activities and volunteers at the 916th Air Refueling Wing continue their generosity.
Many members of the Air Force Reserve wing found a way to help a local school while at the same time helping a fellow Airman.
Nearly 20 civilian and military members from across the wing supported at-risk youth attending the Dillard Academy Charter Public School. The school boasts a former 916th Command Chief Master Sergeant on its staff. Chief (ret.) Tom Smith serves the school as a behavior specialist.
"Dillard Academy serves approximately 200 at risk students in a kindergarten through fourth grade elementary education program," said Smith. "The friendship and support of partners allow us to provide an academic experience for our students, which rival any other experience they could reasonably expect to receive."
Airman from across the wing donated school supplies and book bags and helped with monetary donations for the school to purchase items in late August."The smiles and glow in the eyes of all of our little Pre K - 4th graders was a great uplift in supporting a positive start back to school," Smith said.
