Thoughtfulness comes from tiny hands

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Trisha Smeenk
  • 114 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A group of preschoolers from Open Arms Christian Child Center in Sioux Falls took a field trip to present care packages to airmen of the 114th Fighter Wing on June 7.
 
Stacy Meyer, Open Arms Director, requested that the care packages be presented to service members by the children. Meyer explained how the experience would specifically tie into their lesson plan that featured Memorial Day.

"This really helps them to be better citizens," said Meyer. "I think for them, it just puts a nice bow on a whole lesson package."

Meyer felt that the 'visual' of the children giving the crafts and thank yous to uniformed members would be a great teaching moment and have a meaningful affect on her students.

"At this age they need those concrete concepts," explained Meyer. "Every time the planes fly over our daycare, they will remember being in the hanger, meeting the airmen and handing them the packages."

Teresa Dennis accompanied her daughter to the base. "We have family in the guard and my daughter has been looking forward to this all week, said Meyer. "It is better for the children to deliver the boxes personally rather than sending them in the mail. They learn a lot."

The children got a tour of an F-16 and finished their day at the base with a look inside the cockpit.