10th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers devote
time to serve local community members
Sgt. Brandon Cox
10th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (March 8, 2019) – Soldiers from the 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI) volunteered to help serve food at the "Dollar Dinner" event for local residents March 6, 2019, at Sacred Heart Church in Watertown, New York.
The Dollar Dinner is an event where the Watertown YMCA collaborated with the Watertown Urban Mission, a non-profit organization that focuses on overcoming poverty and providing resources for the community.
"We work with many businesses and non-profits to make it possible to provide for our community members who may not have the resources to get a hot meal," said Schreene Babcock, youth and social responsibility director at the YMCA.
The 10th Sustainment Brigade's participation in the event was part of the 10th Mountain Division's community engagement program, Mountain Snap Link.
Soldiers helped by manning the serving lines, filling up the drinks, and making sure that the food was stocked and ready to be served throughout the dinner.
Many of the Soldiers had personal reasons for volunteering.
"It means so much to me to help the community while representing our division," said Sgt. Tashana Cruz, a financial management technician with the 33rd Financial Management Support Unit, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI).
"Something like this is so little but can mean so much to the people," Cruz said.
Chaplain (Capt.) Amy Smith, with the 10th Headquarters Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, coordinated the brigade's continued involvement in the Dollar Dinner event for the past two years.
"It makes me feel joyous to be able to do this for our community," Smith said. "Being able to serve others makes you a better leader."