U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center Donates Supplies to Back-to-School Drive

From the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center:

After collecting school supplies for the third Annual Back-to-School Drive of the 20th Support Command, members of the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) workforce recently participated in the hand-off ceremony held at the Edgewood chapel.

In the time leading up to last week’s BTS Drive ceremony, ECBC’s workforce donated 5,700 items at a value of nearly $5,000 to military families of the 20th Support Command and the 22nd Chemical Battalion. Ensuring the overall success of this event, ECBC volunteers contributed their time and helped count, organize and transport the donations.

“This campaign was one small way of thanking warfighters for their selfless service to our nation and the freedom that we enjoy every day,” said ECBC Community and Educational Outreach Program Manager Mary Doak. “Thanks to the enthusiasm and volunteerism of our workforce, ECBC was able to donate such a large and colorful selection of school supplies.”

20th Support Command’s Chief of Staff Col. Darryl Briggs and ECBC Technical Director Joseph Wienand also shared kind words during the BTS drive hand-off ceremony. As a sign of recognition and gratitude for ECBC’s dedication and commitment to the warfighter, the 20th Support Command presented the Center with a personalized appreciation plaque citing the Soldier’s Creed.

“This is a phenomenal event that has been established in partnership with ECBC,” Briggs said, watching soldiers and family members select BTS supplies. “It worked out perfectly, as everyone seemed to get everything they were looking for.”

Touching the hearts of many military families, the generosity of ECBC’s workforce exceeded the expectations of nearly 300 soldiers, spouses and children. Some of them expressed how overwhelmed they were by the amount of supplies provided to them and how much ECBC’s donations facilitated their preparations.

“During the 19 years of my husband’s service in the Army, I’ve never experienced this type of generosity before,” said military spouse Leslie Newhouse, wife of Capt. David Newhouse and mother of four children. “Your generosity is overwhelming and appreciated.”

Others shared that they were able to find everything they needed to send their children fully equipped back to school.

“We found everything and more for our children today,” said Lt. Col. Ross Gagliano who came to the Drive with his wife and three children.

ECBC Research Biologist Jennifer Horsman, who helped sort the Center’s donations, attended the ceremony and experienced the happiness and joy the large variety of BTS supplies brought to the families of the 20th Support Command and the 22nd Chemical Battalion first hand.

“It is amazing to see how many families were touched with ECBC’s generosity,” she said. “Everybody seems to be getting everything they need.”

For more information about ECBC and its community and educational outreach programs, visit http://www.ecbc.army.mil/.