JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Joint Base Charleston Company Grade Officers Council has been busy during the last few months. They have been involved in several base events, such as sponsoring the Airmen Against Drunk Driving Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 game tournament at the Charleston Club which raised more than $200 for the program. In addition, the CGOC volunteered for an AADD weekend and hosted a Red Cross blood drive. Needless to say, it has been a busy summer.
On behalf of the entire CGOC, I would like to take a moment to say thank you to the current Vice President, Capt. Drew Havko, for all his hard work over the last nine months. His leadership and vision were most certainly integral to all of the recent successes of the CGOC. Captain Havko is moving to a new assignment at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, at the end of the month and will be missed. An election for an interim vice president was held during the July CGOC meeting, and I would like to say congratulations to 1st Lt. Stephanie White from the 628th Medical Group who was elected to fill the remainder of the term.
For upcoming fall season, the CGOC is taking the lead role on several events. First and foremost, the CGOC is spearheading JB CHS's involvement in "National Day of Caring" sponsored by The United Way. Joint Base Charleston will be participating Sept. 10 in the National Day of Caring. The purpose of the day is for neighbors to come together to volunteer, give back and accomplish projects within their communities.
Volunteer teams from across JB CHS will be throughout the Lowcountry area in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, participating in a myriad of projects. Last year, the Lowcountry had one of the largest Day of Caring efforts in the nation with more than 6,300 people getting involved. We hope this year, with the help of JB CHS, we will make the event the largest in the country.
In conjunction with our new Joint Base partners at the Naval Weapons Station, JB CHS will be mustering 2,500 to 3,000 Airmen, Sailors and Department of Defense civilians into the community to work on a variety of service projects. One of the largest projects will be a joint community project between Charleston Airmen and the Naval Nuclear Training Command students, providing a combined 400 volunteers to help revitalize the North Central neighborhood in downtown Charleston.
This synergy of efforts between JB CHS volunteers, the City of Charleston and the citizens of the North Central neighborhood is the epitome and embodiment of the spirit and intentions of the Day of Caring. In short, JB CHS will be the single largest organization participating in National Day of Caring across the country and will be making a significant difference here in the Lowcountry.
This is just one of many projects that Joint Base Charleston Airmen, Sailors and civilians will be involved in throughout the Day of Caring. If your squadron or organization would like to participate or have questions regarding Joint Base Charleston's involvement in the National Day of Caring, contact 1st Lt. Rob Payne at 963-5530 or by e-mail at robert.payne-01@charleston.af.mil.
Finally, as a friendly reminder to all fellow CGOs, our meetings are held the last Friday of every month at 4 p.m. in the Charleston Club's Wings Bar.