Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Debbie Bovankovich, 4th Fighter Wing Legal Office secretary, assembles a shelving unit at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Child Development Center as part of “Make a Difference Day” Oct. 24, 2009. Volunteers dedicated approximately 10 hours of labor to complete an array of renovation work at the CDC. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

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Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Staff Sgt. Clint Haynes, 4th Operational Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, pressure washes the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Child Development Center as part of “Make a Difference Day” Oct. 24, 2009. The volunteers built and replaced furniture in 14 classrooms, mounted chair rails, pressure washed the building, performed yard work and more throughout the day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

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Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Capt. Julie Harrison, 4th Force Support Squadron manpower and personnel flight chief, checks books for tears and rips before placing them on new shelves at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Child Development Center as part of “Make a Difference Day” Oct. 24, 2009. More than 75 volunteers spent the day using the necessary elbow grease to complete the CDCs “To Do List.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

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Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Master Sgt. Kenny Autry, 911th Air Refueling Squadron repair and reclamation section chief, tightens a bolt as he and Senior Master Sgt. Tony Townsend, 4th Communications Squadron superintendant, build a crib. The two senior non-commissioned officers dedicated their time Oct. 24, 2009 to assist with renovation efforts at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Child Development Center as part of “Make a Difference Day.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

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Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Carol Hines, Old Navy Goldsboro store manager, and Linda Kennedy, Old Navy sales associate, use a level to mark a wall for a chair rail placement in the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Child Development Center during “Make a Difference Day Oct. 24, 2009. As part of a community involvement program at Old Navy, seven employees from the Goldsboro store volunteered to take part in the event. The Old Navy cooperate offices also donated money toward the purchase of the chair rails. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Jeanette Estrada, child development center education technician, places blocks onto newly assembled shelves in her class room as part of “Make a Difference Day” at Seymour Johnson Air Base Oct. 24, 2009. More than 75 volunteers spent the day at the CDC building and replacing furniture in 14 classrooms, mounting chair rails, pressure washed the building, performing yard work and other tasks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

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Volunteers make a difference at CDC

Published Oct. 28, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Volunteers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base joined forces with members of the Goldsboro community during "Make a Difference Day" to improve the base Child Development Center Oct. 24.

The volunteers built and replaced furniture in 14 classrooms, mounted chair rails, pressure washed the building, performed yard work and more throughout the day.

The event was an awesome thing - with a lot of great support, said Fennis Baker-Waters, CDC director. "It shows (the volunteers) really care about us and the military children in our program. We appreciate everything everyone is doing for us."

More than 75 people provided the elbow grease necessary to complete the CDC's "To Do List."

"I have children who go to the CDC and youth center, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to help them out," said Staff Sgt. Clint Haynes, 4th Operational Support Squadron air crew flight equipment technician.

Not everyone who volunteered at the event had children enrolled in the CDC. The base's Group 56 showed-up in-force with a 12-person team, only half of whom had children who use the facility.

"We like to be involved in the community and heard through word of mouth that the CDC needed some help," said Tech. Sgt. Kurt Bovankovich, 911th Air Refueling Squadron material management supervisor and Group 56 member.

As part of a community involvement program at Old Navy, seven employees from the Goldsboro store volunteered to take part in the event as well. The team not only provided help during the days renovations, the Old Navy corporate offices also donated money toward the purchase of chair rails.

"We do community events every quarter," said Carol Hines, store manager. This is the store employees first time working with the base. It was a great chance to help children and the Air Force community.

After almost 10 hours of labor the volunteers' work was done.

The work made such a difference, said Lynn Lepley, CDC training and curriculum specialist. The children were excited to see the new toys, furniture and decorations in the lobby inviting everyone in.