ALS bowls strike for local school

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Teachers gave out wish lists of school supplies parents could buy to help each class when Carden Traditional School in Surprise, Ariz., began the school year in August. The list included pencils and construction paper among other items.

The cost to parents of these supplies dropped this year thanks to the John J. Rhodes Airman Leadership School at Luke Air Force Base. Class 9-7's public service project raised more than $1300 with over $900 going to the kindergarten through 8th graders at the charter school.

"Staff Sgt. (Keri) Rash (ALS instructor) and I coordinated some babysitting, and I mentioned needing help for school supplies," said Cara Brewer, Carden Elementary kindergarten teacher. "When she mentioned the ALS class project I thought she was referring to sending us some construction paper and pencils. When I found out it was that big it floored me."

Each ALS class is required to complete a community service event as part of their curriculum. Class 9-7 decided on a bowl-a-thon and three weeks of planning and 33 bowlers later, the class shocked the ALS staff.

"They planned it, set it up and took care of whatever details they needed to," Sergeant Rash said. "The class went so far above and beyond. We as a staff are impressed and the commandant has told people all over the base."

Each event needs to donate at least $125 to the next class for their community service project. Class 9-8 will receive $200 for their projects. Other money will go to the class 9-7 heritage display which is dedicated to retired Tech. Sgt. Matt Slaydon.

"All we do as a staff is say, 'you guys will do a fundraiser project while you are here at ALS and you have to raise the minimum amount to send to the next class," Sergeant Rash said. "In the four years I've been here this is by far the most money I've ever seen any class make. I'm proud of what was accomplished."

"Class 9-7 started at a disadvantage because they had less people for the project," Sergeant Rash said.

The 24 Airmen in class 9-7 represent the smallest of the seven ALS classes this year.

"Other classes told us they did carwashes and garage sales," said Senior Airman Branden Sharp, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member. "The class asked ourselves, what can we do to make our service project better?"

The donation will help all of the students in the K-8 school and not just one particular class, Ms. Brewer said.
"Everything we're buying will be for the kids," she said. "We'll get the materials in bulk and distribute them to all the classes so it will help everyone. This will also help the parents so they don't have to spend as much money buying it for the teachers."

Ms. Brewer says some of the items the school plans to buy are books for reading activities, resources for the math center, materials for science and social studies experiments, pencils, and construction paper.

"I'm honored that they were willing to fund schools that need help," Ms. Brewer said. "We really appreciate them for everything they've done."