Car dealers' fund-drive boosts programs for military families
By Sam Atkins
Published in News on December 14, 2004 2:10 PM
The Family Support Center at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base received $25,000 to assist families of deployed airmen.
Representatives from Wayne County automobile dealerships and the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association presented a check Monday to Col. Mike Holmes, 4th Fighter Wing commander.
The donation is part of the Support Our Troops initiative. Robert Glaser, president of the N.C. Auto Dealers Association, said checks will also be presented to Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg.
For every car sold between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the association's member dealerships, a portion of the proceeds was put in the "Support Our Troops" fund.
Marilyn Roseborough, Family Support Center director, said the money will go toward monthly pot-luck dinners for families of deployed airmen, for door prizes and things for their children, and for children with autism associated with Seymour Johnson to go to Kid's Fest, which is a summer day camp at Edgewood Community Developmental School in Goldsboro.
The money will also go toward pillowcases that help make the transition easier for the children and other loved ones left behind when the airmen leave. A picture of the person being deployed is ironed onto the pillowcase and given to them and vice versa.
The center also provides a Christmas party and pool party every year for spouses of deployed airmen.
"It's a very significant gift and we really appreciate it," Holmes said.