Local Reservists and Dallas Mavericks Commit to Community Service

  • Published
  • By Mr. Shawn McCowan
  • 301st Fighter Wing Publis Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  Army General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently announced the beginning of a new volunteerism initiative designed to both address needs in the local community and personally connect with its people.  Less than two weeks later, this Commitment to Service brought the best and brightest of the Dallas and Fort Worth military and professional sports communities together.

Members of 301st Fighter Wing, 10th Air Force, a local Army unit, and Navy personnel from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, travelled with some of the Mavericks' Dancers, staff, and even ManiAACs, aboard the Mavs Express bus to the North Texas Food Bank Nov. 4 in Dallas.  The mixed group quickly bonded on the way to the food bank, and arrived cheerful and ready to serve.

It was no surprise that most of the military volunteers for the program's inaugural effort were individuals recognized for their exceptional leadership and commitment to helping others.

Colonel Bill Lyons, 10th Air Force Assistant Vice Commander, was one of the first people to volunteer for the event.

"This is a really great opportunity to give back.  The community has shown it cares for us, and this is a perfect way to show the same," said Lyons.

Tech. Sgt. Petra Reid, a member of 301st Financial Management, served on several prior community relations events.  Her leadership skills and potential were recognized when she was recently selected for commission as a deserving airman.  But she still feels like a servant at heart.

"It's so humbling when people say 'thank you for your service.'  I feel like this is a chance to show how much their support means to us, and help kids and families in need," said Reid.

According to North Texas Food Bank officials, the afternoon of service produced 13 pallets of boxed food.  The food bank and Mavericks posted numerous tweets throughout the event, including several "thank you" messages to military participants.  The food bank announced that the effort provided 4,550 meals to underprivileged children in the Dallas and Fort Worth area.

This was just the first of an ongoing series of Commitment to Service events, and the food bank volunteers were already beginning to talk about their next opportunity to participate.