The White Falcon - 12.02.1993, Blaðsíða 1

HITE
FALCON
Icelandic phrases of the week:
May I have the bill?
Get £g fengid reikninginn?
(Get yeth fengith rek-ningen?)
Here it is. Gerdu svo vel. (Gerdur so vel)
Vol. 52 No. 06 February 12,1993
Serving the Iceland Defense Force Community
Volunteers devote time to community children
Story and photo by
J02 Colleen “Ghostwriter” Casper
It has been said that children are the world’s
future, salvation and only hope. For many
has missed his involvement with children
over the past few years. “There was a void in
my life, it is really strange. When I heard that
math assistants at the elementary school were
needed, I quickly volunteered.”
CTMC Michael Mocham, the father of two
Sabrina Schroeder (left) age six, and Steven Gilby (right) age five, play with LT Sean
O'Donnell, Public Affairs Officer, VP 5.
people, the young are a breath of fresh air.
They are small people who voice all their
feelings without restraint.
These are some of the reasons why ATAN
Jimmy Smith, Aircraft Intermediate Mainte-
nance Department of Naval Air Station,
Keflavik, gets great satisfaction from volun-
teering as a teacher’s aid at the A.T. Mahan
Elementary School. Not having any children
of his own, Smith feels that the children learn
as much from him as he learns from them.
Smith volunteers an hour each week to
Jielp teach a fourth grade class in mathemat-
w. “I go to the elementary school every
Ronday morning, it starts my week off on the
right foot. It’s rewarding when they look at
you with sincere appreciation because you ’ve
helped them understand a problem.”
A volunteer in his high school days, Smith
children, ages eight and 10, has volunteered
to assist children with their learning skills for
eight years. “I feel in many instances, when
both parents are pursuing a career, having
another adult show interest only re-empha-
sizes the importance of having an education.
“When I walk into their classroom and see
their bright eyes, especially after the initial
shyness, it is very rewarding,” contiued
Mocham. “The children are the little won-
ders to me and it is neat to watch them open
up and to help them discover and to leant
something new."
Mocham and CTACS Brian E. Fan-ell are
two of of six chiefs of Naval Security Group
Activity who are actively involved in the
Adopt-A-Class program.
In this program, individuals, as well as
groups or organizations, can volunteer to be
a teacher’s aid during specific times through-
out the week. Farrell has been a volunteer
before and he says the program is rewarding.
“It gives the children and adults, a break from
the normal routine. Having another adult
show interest in them gives them a different
perspective on life and makes them well-
rounded.”
VP-5 is another command which partici-
pates in the Adopt-A-Class program. LT
Sean O’Donnell visits the kindergarten class
every chance he gets, no matter how busy he
is. “When I go to see the children, it is
relaxing and I feel like I am experiencing a
breath of fresh air. I would go see the class
every day if I could.”
Dean Hall, five, said, “It is great to have
Sean visit because he spends time with every-
one and reads to us.”
On the other hand, Mrs. Danna Wilson, a
kindergarden teacher said, “The visits by the
volunteers are great. They don’t interrupt the
classes and the kids are really excited to see
a new face.
“If the children have trouble with a skill or
need extra attention, I let one of the volun-
teers help them,” Wilson added.
Stephanie Stark, five, said, “I enjoy it
when people visit the classroom. It is fun.
They play with us and teach us things.”
If your organization or command is inter-
ested in volunteering for the Adopt-A-Class-
Program contact ETC (SW/AW) William A.
Paetz at ext. 2831 or if an individual would
like to volunteer to help teach a class contact
the Red Cross at ext. 6210.
We remember
George Washington’s and
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthdays
Presidents’ Day
February 15,1993