Loma Linda, Calif -Soldiers with 2916th Aviation Battalion from the National Training Center lifted the spirits of children at Loma Linda’s Children Hematology and Oncology Pediatric Clinic with donated toys Dec. 13.
“A lot of these children don’t get to go outside and play with friends, get in the dirt and do normal kid things because they have to stay away from germs,” said Crystal Wigglesworth a certified child life specialist at Loma Linda.
2916th sets the theater and synchronize distribution and sustainment management to ensure readiness at the National Training Center. When tasked to come up with ideas to support the local community Private 1st Class Chanelys Y. Martinez, a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, took to the Internet to locate an organization that supports children in need. When Martinez came across Loma Linda, an organization with a shared goal of community improvement, she informed her commanding officer.
Capt. Derek A. Stewart, Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander of 2916th Aviation Battalion, assisted Martinez with the collection of donated toys and coordinated the deliver to pediatric patients at Loma Linda. With a combined effort of 2916th, Fort Irwin and the Barstow community over 350 toys were collected valued at approximately $2,100.
“It just warms our heart that people are so generous,” said Wigglesworth.