ARMY'S ARMY HAPPENINGS

The Holiday Spirit

MWR hosted its annual Tree Lighting event on Thursday, December 3, at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds in Fayetteville. This event was a fun, family-oriented evening filled with a variety of things to see and do. There were several bounce houses for the kids, drinks and goodies were handed out, and of course there was a special visit from Santa!

In addition to all the festivities, Janine West, Executive Director for the Army’s Army Operations, and Stacy Strauss, Director for the Army’s Army Sales, were there spreading awareness about the Army’s Army to the local community and recruited many excited new volunteers.

Trees for Troops was another huge success! On Thursday, December 10, MWR hosted Trees for Troops for the 5th consecutive year at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds. Members of the Army’s Army, along with MWR worked extremely hard in the cold weather from 10:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. loading the trees onto cars. In all, 1,100 trees were distributed to active military families. Please click here to view photos of the events.

Also, from December 7 through December 30, Army’s Army members volunteered their time at the Alexander Street Salvation Army, serving hot meals to the public and residents, many of whom were veterans.

The Army’s Army would like to thank all those that volunteered their time at these events. It is our hope that as we move into the new year, the Army’s Army will grow and multiply. The Army’s Army would also like to thank the partners that support this organization. The Army's Army would also like to welcome our newest partners, Insignia Residential, Rick Hendrick, Toyota and Dex.

   WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE    MORE INVOLVED

1. Join an Army's Army committee. Log in to your account here to join the effort to help military families relocating to the community.
2. Attend an Army’s Army volunteer effort. All opportunities are sent to your inbox via Army’s Army e-blasts. So, look for events and special efforts going on where you can lend your time.
3. Recruit your friends. Do your friends know about the Army's Army? If they're interested in supporting military families, we could use their help. Ask them to go to armysarmy.com. to join the cause. Furthermore, to keep up with BRAC Regional Task Force activities, visit bracrtf.com.

Maria Torres

Seriously Committed

Maria Torres, a native Texan, is the third oldest of eleven children and is now married with four of her own children-two girls and two boys-who have given her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Maria, her husband, and her family have lived here at Fort Bragg and in Fayetteville for more than 35 years. She was forced to leave high school early to work in order to help her parents support their large family.

Maria attended Fayetteville Tech from 1984-1989 where she obtained her high school diploma, as well as a nursing degree. Having completed a year of EMT training in Cumberland County, Maria’s experience allowed her to work at Womack Army Medical Hospital in 2001 as a pediatric nurse. However, in 2002, two months after her mother passed away, Maria was diagnosed with cancer, ending her medical career.

Since then, Maria has kept herself very busy. Her desire to help the community in any way she can and enjoyment working with people has led her to volunteer as a religious education teacher, a parish council representative, a Boy Scout mom, a Girl Scout leader, president of community watch, a youth group mentor, president of the Sergeant Majors Auxiliary, the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Army’s Army.

The Army's Army salutes Maria and all of the volunteers who go above and beyond to help our community's military families. If you would like to nominate a Featured Enlistee who is making a difference, send your recommendations to [email protected].

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