Oklahoma Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers attached to 5th Armored Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas, attended a $100,000 grant presentation at the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Jan. 21, 2021.

The Soldiers have a combined total of 159 volunteers hours with the ASYMCA, a local nonprofit designed to fight food insecurities within the El Paso community. “Soldiers helped with everything including the setup, distribution, passing out forms to the public and data analysis” said Betty Ramirez, director of Volunteer Services at the ASYMCA.

Ramirez expressed gratitude for the volunteer hours the Soldiers put in. “Their efforts have a ripple effect for the community. It means a lot more when National Guard Soldiers are out here helping because this isn’t their community but; while it is, they are definitely making waves.”

Task Force Boomer Soldiers Sgt. Mikaela Norton and Spc. Monique Tran helped Ramirez accept the $100,000 grant presented by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in a celebration held at the Armed Services YMCA Friday.

“It means a lot to help out. Growing up I also had food insecurities so being able to be a part of this and make sure that families in need get their food is near to my heart” said Norton in an interview with Channel 9.

The ASYMCA services military members and families by providing innovative and quality social, educational, and recreations programs. Reach out to your local chapter for more information on how to donate or volunteer.