Sep
17
Written by:
Ranken Jordan
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Airmen from Scott Air Force Base travel across the Mississippi River twice each month to spend time with the patients at Ranken Jordan as part of the Airmen for Children volunteer group.
Staff Sgt. Jewell Hicks Jr., a 375th Communications Squadron executive communications support member, founded Airmen for Children in July as a rewarding way for him and his fellow airmen to give back to the community.
“I had a friend who passed away from leukemia when we were in high school,” Hicks said. “Ever since then, I have wanted to start an organization that benefits children who are dealing with health-related issues. I found Ranken Jordan through my research of area children’s hospitals, and it seemed like the perfect fit for our volunteer group.”
During each visit, Hicks and several colleagues spend an hour with patients who receive treatment at the hospital. The patients and airmen participate in activities ranging from reading books and playing instruments to baking cookies and painting T-shirts. But ultimately, the children look forward to spending time with the volunteers, regardless of the type of activity scheduled.
“The Airmen for Children program has become an active part of our patients’ recovery,” said Lauri Tanner, president and chief executive officer at Ranken Jordan. “We are honored to have the airmen spend time with our patients because we know they are also busy serving our country. The airmen might not realize it, but even their presence at the hospital lifts our patients’ spirits.”
Since July, Sergeant Hicks has brought more than 90 airmen to Ranken Jordan. In addition to the Airmen for Children program, Hicks collaborated with the Scott Youth Center to organize a back-to-school supply drive that raised $750 in school supplies for area children. He is also planning a holiday toy drive benefitting the patients at all St. Louis-area children’s hospitals. But these are only his immediate plans.
“When I started Airmen for Children, I set a goal to expand the program to Air Force bases across the county,” Hicks said. “My current goal is to establish a branch of the volunteer group at 30 percent of the bases in the United States by the end of the year. Even meeting a fraction of that goal would be considered a success; any additional programs we can set up will be advantageous for both the airmen and the youth across the country.”