Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Station residents gathered inside the Matthew C. Perry Elementary School cafeteria here, May 24, 2013, to celebrate two special occasions. The progression of the station’s girls scouts during their bridging ceremony and to congratulate the scouts on their effort and achievement of personally making care packages for new and expecting mothers, all of which were received by Navy Capt. Sandor Niemann, Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Health Clinic acting officer-incharge, and Lt. Beverly Torres, Branch Health Clinic family practice department head.

“We made about 500 care packages and inside the care packages are things a new or pregnant mother would need, such as diapers ... a toothbrush with toothpaste and sanitary items,” said Paige Pippin, M. C. Perry elementary school student.

Pippin mentioned her desire to find even more ways to help not only the local community, but also everyone she could.

“Just getting to help people and getting to support the community is what I really like about girl scouts,” said Pippin.

Pippin also took the time to thank the leader of her Girl Scout troop, who made such a donation possible.

“I want to thank my troop leader, (Naomi Ferral, Girl Scout Troop 30 troop leader), she has put in so many hours for us,” said Pippin. “She has been planning meetings for us to sew and she’s just a wonderful person and I really want to thank her.”

The packages, retrieved by the BHC leaders, will provide families with a feeling of comfort during the trying times of child birth, a comfort the BHC is happy to supply.

“We’re here today to accept some new mom-care kits that the Girl Scouts made,” said Niemann.“ It’s fantastic that the Girl Scouts have spent so much time and energy to make the new mom care kits because it’s nice when you are away from to get something that’s homemade with love that has something you may need, that you might have forgotten in the stress of having a baby or getting to the hospital in time.”

Neimann continued to talk about his approval and happiness on accepting such useful gifts.

“I think the scouts took away a sense of how much good they can do for their community,” said Neimann. “What might seem to be small things, if they work together, can make a world of difference to a new mom and their family. I’d like to say thank them on behalf of the clinic, the new moms and the moms-to-be. This goes a long way to making things better for them. This is a touch of caring they will remember for a long time to come.”