November 10, 2015 -- Strengthening relationships between local communities and Marine Corps Logistic Base Albany through building partnerships, volunteer services and engagement is an ongoing endeavor for officials and tenant commands aboard the installation.
In its efforts to preserve ties outside “the fence line,” Sailors as well as civilian personnel at the Naval Branch Health Clinic Albany partnered with the Dougherty County School System administrators and amassed enough volunteer hours to achieve the Partners in Excellence Award for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Lt. Cmdr. Donald Mitchell, senior nurse executive, NBHC Albany, who accepted the award on behalf of the clinic’s personnel at DCSS’s award breakfast, recently, commented on the event.
“I had the privilege to represent our clinic at the annual Dougherty County School System’s Partners in Excellence Program breakfast,” Mitchell said. “We received the award for outstanding volunteerism to Alice Coachman Elementary School, (Albany, Georgia).”
Mitchell credited the accomplishment and extended gratitude to the entire NBHC Albany team “for their civic pride and service.”
Valerie Hargrove, lead medical records technician, NBHC Albany, explained her role in assisting her team to win the award.
“We partnered with the school system to go do whatever they needed us to volunteer for,” Hargrove said. “This was my first year volunteering. (We did) anything from reading books; staying in the classroom with (students) while the teachers were doing presentations; helping them serve food or passing out books to students.
“Students were elementary and middle school-aged children,” she added. “I think it is a great experience; I think anyone who wants to volunteer should, especially if they have kids. Parent interact with the Dougherty County School System; I think it is a great opportunity to see what the school system has to offer and they can see how the community and the military partner up with them.
“It is a great partnership to see how the school treats your (child) and it’s very educational for the parents as well for the students,” Hargrove continued.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Mario Fuller, medical records clerk, NBHC Albany, commented on his overall experience as a volunteer at Alice Coachman Elementary School.
“It was a great experience,” Fuller said. “It reminded me of when I was in school and we had people volunteering to help us in class while our parents were interacting with the teachers. I think it helps not only the students feel important, but (also) helps the parents to get involved.
“(Parents) actually see people caring for their children while they are getting to know the teachers better and seeing what their children are actually learning in school,” he continued. “I like kids and, as much as we have it coming up, I will continue to volunteer – even at my future duty stations.”
According to the DCSS website, the primary goal of the Partners in Excellence Program is to strengthen and enrich the instructional programs in schools thereby ensuring that all students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for life-long learning and successful functioning as members of the workforce, community and society.
Through partnerships, more than 240 businesses and community organizations are helping students to reach their highest level of academic success. Businesses or organizations can partner to promote and influence the success of teaching and learning in the community, the website further indicated.
For more information on how to become a DCSS Partner in Excellence, visit the website and download the information and application packet at: http://www.dougherty.k12.ga.us/Portals/DCSS/District/docs/Partners%20in%20Excellence%20Application.pdf.