| CPSG wingmen reach out to local
community As part of a recent two-pronged May “Wingman Call", members of the Electronic Systems Center’s Cryptologic Systems Group pitched in to bring positive changes to the local San Antonio community. CPSG’s Wingman Call activities, planned within the city, allow Airmen, both military and civilian, to get to know one another and build connections, trust, and the skills necessary to look out for each other, according to Sharon Holman, CPSG’s “Wingman Call” guru. These volunteer events also greatly benefit area residents in various ways. During May’s Wingman Call, CPSG members volunteered for “Day at the Park,” where they helped to clean up San Antonio’s Woodlawn Park, and at the city’s Food Bank, where they sorted and distributed thousands of donations. Woodlawn Park More than 100 members of CPSG did their part in cleaning, painting and sprucing up San Antonio’s “Crown Jewel of Parks,” Ms. Holman said. Volunteers spent the morning completing several projects throughout San Antonio’s 15-acre Park, located on San Antonio’s West side. .JPG) During
the course of the day, unit members spanned out over the entire area
of the historic park, which contains walking paths, picnic areas, a
lake, playing surfaces and a huge pool.After park employees issued necessary tools and equipment, unit members went about painting park benches and bleachers, gathering and disposing of debris from the lake, and painting the wrought iron fence that encloses the park’s huge swimming pool. It was a win-win situation for all involved, according to Roman Quinones, Field Maintenance Crew Leader. Members of the group learned how to work together better as a team, and the park received a much-needed makeover. On an average weekday, Mr. Quinones said, the park is visited by about 400 area residents; and that number doubles on weekends. Mr. Quinones expressed his gratitude and appreciation for unit members’ efforts, which saved the city an estimated $4,000 in labor costs. “They’ve done a very good job,” he said. “This is excellent community service we really value.” Food Bank More than 120 members of the CPSG took part in a three-day event at San Antonio’s Food Bank this week. On each of the three days, 40 or more unit members contributed several hours sorting through donations at the Food Bank’s massive warehouse located on the city’s East side, according to Ms. Holman. Nearly 23,000 pounds of food products were prepared for needy recipients. .JPG) The
mission of the San Antonio Food Bank is to acquire and distribute,
at the lowest possible cost, adequate and nutritious food and
related products to charitable organizations that provide for needy
individuals and families. The organizations goal is to reach as many
needy households to fight hunger and feed hope in Southwest Texas.After CPSG volunteers unpacked and checked the assorted items for condition, they carefully placed thousands of items into boxes destined for the tables of local citizens and organizations, Ms. Holman said. Each box of food had to be stocked within specified weight standards and had to contain a designated amount of starches and proteins, according to Linda Mayfield, the Food Bank’s Community Investment Manager. Each box of non-perishable items is designed to feed a family of four for one week, Ms. Mayfield said. The Food Bank delivers over two million pounds of food per month to 40,000 families. Because of the deep discounts the Food Bank receives from major food companies, her organization is able to turn $1 in donations into $13 worth of products. Translated in dollars and cents, CPSG’s volunteer efforts were the same as if the unit had written a check to the Food Bank for $33,051.50, according to Ms. Mayfield.
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