35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/24/2014 - SHICHINOHE, Japan -- Fifteen Airmen from Misawa Air Base, Japan, visited more than 25 orphaned children at the Biko-en Children's Care House in Shichinohe, Japan, Oct. 18.
The Airmen made the 14-mile trip to the orphanage to donate school supplies to elementary-aged children at the care house and interacting with the children, playing indoor and outdoor games such as American classics "Duck, Duck, Goose" and "Heads Up Seven Up."
"The children were very receptive," said Airman 1st Class Iman Massey, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron operations manager and supply drive coordinator. "Even though there was a language barrier between us, it didn't stop us from having a good time."
This was the first time the Airmen, who are part of the base's First Four Organization, have worked with the orphanage, but they don't plan on it being their last. Massey said the idea initially came about after a noncommissioned officer from Misawa's 35th Maintenance Squadron told her about their involvement with the orphanage.
"By doing events like this, we can help the morale of not only Airmen but the Japanese community as well," Massey explained. "We can help strengthen relationship between the two communities while helping more Airmen get involved and embrace the culture off-base."
Massey was happy with how the event turned out and added her favorite part was seeing how excited the children were when receiving their gifts.
"Just being able to see their faces light up when they went through their backpacks, and how they showed each other what they got, was really awesome," Massey said.
For Senior Airman Christopher Russo, 35th Dental Squadron oral surgery technician, the chance to make a difference in the children's lives convinced him to come and support the event.
"I don't typically volunteer for much, but when I saw that it was helping out orphans, I really wanted to be a part of that," he said. "You can tell they really don't have much, and it means a lot to them to receive the school supplies."
He said he was also happy to see the smiles in the children's faces as they presented them with the backpacks.
The Airmen are now talking about how to expand their visits into an event the whole base can get involved in.
"I would like to thank everyone who helped collect school supplies and helped me set this event up, as well as all of those who came out to spend time with the children and help hand out the school supplies," Massey said. "I'm excited to continue to work with the staff at the orphanage and plan other events with these children in the future."
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