Hurlburt youth offer service, repairs to base

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- More than 60 volunteers with the Special Operations Youth group wrapped up their final day of servicing and repairing different areas on and around Hurlburt Field June 17.

The repairs are part of the youth group’s summer community outreach program where they select various locations in the local community to improve every two years.

For 2016, the group spent five days volunteering to help the mission succeed by organizing and cleaning the base library, youth center, Airman and Family Readiness Center and base pool.

“With the fiscal restraints and declining budgets, we are hoping that our funding and manpower will ease burdens for the organizations,” said Greg Copeland, youth and mission trip director.

The group raised approximately $15,000 through donations to the Hurlburt Chapel, fundraising projects and supporters pledging stocks to support the week-long event.

Volunteers not only helped on base, but in the local community, performing services like beautification and repairs to the Bob Hope Village and homes of two local Air Force widows.

“The kids learn a lot from these volunteer experiences,” Copeland said. “Serving others is one of the main things we focus on.”

Not only did the youth concentrate on helping others, they also learned leadership skills. Each youth had leadership tasks training and an assigned position on the team in addition to their responsibilities at their work sites.

“My best memory of the events was having the opportunity to talk to people,” said Maegan Osborne, a volunteer with the Special Operations Youth group. “I was in charge of devotion so it was my responsibility to go around and speak with others.”

Osborne said the program was a great opportunity to go out and support the community.

“This program makes me feel good because there’s not much I can do on my own, but as a part of this group we can make an impact,” she said.