Page 11 - Wings 5-22-15

May 22, 2015 Desert Wings 11

Edwards youth ‘conquer’ gift of giving, volunteering

by Jet Fabara when her family arrived at Ed- really want to help all these ani-
412th TW Public Affairs wards two years ago and noticed mals, it’s really nice to be able to
that there wasn’t a youth group for help them out like this,” added
A youth group from the Base the junior high students. Adelina Geraghty, 7th grader.
Chapel’s Catholic parish, called “We’re very dedicated to being
The Conquerors, is doing its best “Another mother and I agreed able to serve our community. I try
to exemplify the Air Force core to start one up. She moved after to come at least once a week, but
value, “service before self,” in all WKH¿UVW\HDUDQG.LP+RHOVFKHU everyone here works together for
they do. agreed to co-lead this year with a good cause.”
me. Two years ago, we both felt it
As part of that effort, the youth was important for the 7th and 8th Todaro also said that even
group recently took time to raise graders to spend time with peers though they currently have 15
funds and donate money to the who shared the same Christian youths who volunteer and attend
base’s local Adopt-A-Pet (APET) faith,” Todaro said. “This youth the youth group meetings, chil-
shelter May 18. APET is a non- group was founded on the desire dren are still welcome if they are
SUR¿WQRNLOODQLPDOUHVFXHVKHO- to put the kids’ faith into action. interested. The group plans to vol-
ter for dogs and cats located on ,WLVP\KRSHWKDWWKHNLGVUHÀHFW unteer with more organizations
Edwards AFB. upon the service they have per- throughout the year.
formed.”
“The kids initially organized, “The only condition to join is to
advertised and put into action a )RUWKLVVSHFL¿FHYHQW7RGDUR be a 7th or 8th grader. It is open to
‘drop-in’ babysitting night May said the children were able to raise all kids. If anyone is interested in
9 at Chapel 1. With this event, $640 for a local organization that joining, I recommend their parents
they wanted to raise money for is funded solely through private contact Sonya Burgess, the parish
the APET shelter on base. They donations and collected adoption coordinator at Edwards. This is
noticed a need in their local com- fees. located at Chapel 2,” Todaro said.
munity and wanted to make a dif- “Over the past year, they have
ference,” said Karen Todaro, de- “APET was established in 2002, fed the hungry, gave their time to
pendent and Catholic Junior High because there was a need for mili- the elderly, served the needy, re-
youth leader for The Conquerors. tary personnel who were transfer- membered the lonely, and cared
ring but unable to take their ani- for all of God’s creatures. I hope
According to Todaro, the idea mals with them. Before this, all they see these same needs in their
to start up the youth group arose the animals on base would go to next community and continue to
serve. The seed has been planted
Air Force photograph by Jet Fabara and I hope each Conqueror contin-
ues to nourish the action-oriented
0DWW9DOGH]WKJUDGHUFRPIRUWVDGRJDWWKHEDVH¶VORFDO$GRSW$3HW aspect of their faith.”
(APET) shelter May 18. Valdez was part of a recent donation to the shelter
DORQJZLWKRWKHUPHPEHUVIURPWKH%DVH&KDSHO¶V&DWKROLFSDULVK\RXWK For more information about ani-
group, called The Conquerors. mal adoption, volunteer opportu-
nities, or making a donation, con-
Veronica Hoelscher (right), 8th grader, and Natalie Todaro, 8th grader, tend the Mojave or Lancaster Animal provide them with surgeries they tact Shelley Thurman at 661-258-
WRNLWWHQVDWWKHEDVH¶VORFDO$GRSW$3HW$3(7VKHOWHU0D\ Shelter, where they may be eutha- may need.” 9525. Additionally, log onto www.
nized if not adopted,” said Shelley SHW¿QGHUFRPVKHOWHUVFDKWPO
Thurman, 412th Communications Aside from the donation, Todaro or www.facebook.com/APETRes-
Squadron employee and APET noted that many of the youth also cue to view animals available for
president. “Since we are self-fund- volunteer there as well as other adoption. The facility is located
ed and we are all volunteers here, RIIEDVHQRQSUR¿WRUJDQL]DWLRQV at 615 South Forbes Ave., Bldg.
events like this are so important, 5550.
especially when we have organi- “We really see the shelter and its
zations that donate money to us. staff put all their money, effort and For more information about The
It really gives us the assistance time into this and we love that we Conquerors, contact Sonya Bur-
we need to care for the animals, can help out,” said Kayla Dean, gess at 661-277-2110.
provide them with food, or even 7th grader.

“I think it’s amazing how they’ll
take in any animal, and since they

Chapel Corner

Gaining Altitude – Growth opportunities for the week Monday-Thursday Sunday
DP±&DWKROLF0DVV DP±3URWHVWDQW*RVSHO6HUYLFH
This is a weekly segment in Desert Wings to highlight a spiritual focus Chapel 2 Chapel 1
for the Edwards community: SP±0XVOLP3UD\HU&KDSHO DP±&DWKROLF0DVV&KDSHO
DP±3URWHVWDQW7UDGLWLRQDO
Through our character±DQRSSRUWXQLW\WRUHÀHFWRQLPSRUWDQWLVVXHV Thursday Service, Chapel 1
in our community: SP±:LFFDQ3DJDQ:RUVKLS DP±3URWHVWDQW&RQWHPSRUDU\
Chapel 1 Annex Service, Chapel 2
Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who died while serving SP±&DWKROLF0DVV&KDSHO
LQWKHFRXQWU\¶VDUPHGIRUFHV7KHVHEUDYH$PHULFDQVDUHSDUWRIDWUDGLWLRQRIVDF- Friday
UL¿FHDWKHPHKLJKOLJKWHGLQDUHFHQWERRNE\6WDUEXFNV&(2+RZDUG6FKXOW]DQG SP±0XVOLP3UD\HU Small Groups
Washington Post reporter Rajiv Chandrasekaran called ³)RU/RYHRI&RXQWU\:KDW Chapel 1 We also offer weekly small group
2XU9HWHUDQV&DQ7HDFK8VDERXW&LWL]HQVKLS+HURLVPDQG6DFUL¿FH´ Schultz studies. Please contact us for infor-
spoke at West Point about leadership but in his words, he soon realized “just how mation on times and locations.
disconnected I had been from those fellow citizens who have dedicated years of
their lives to defending the freedom I hold dear.” Take time this weekend to thank
those who serve our nation.

Through our prayers±DQRSSRUWXQLW\WRSUD\IRUWKHQHHGVRIRXUFRP-
munity:

This week’s request: Pray to God in thanksgiving for the men and women
who have given their lives on our behalf.