MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Have you ever received a little extra change from the market and thought “it’s my lucky day”? Well, doing the right thing can really pay off.
Jayda Kroell, a sixth grader at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, received a check for $100 at the Provost Marshal’s Office here Sept. 11.
Mindy Garner nominated her for the Good Samaritan/ Neighbor Program, which was designed to encourage children to improve their community.
On May 24, Jayda bought a few items from the southside Marine Mart. She paid for the items but was given too much change. She walked away, and later realized that she was given over six dollars too much.
Jayda returned to the register to inform the cashier of her mistake.
The cashier approached Garner with the situation trying to find the student to thank her.
“She was very appreciative and impressed with this young lady,” said Garner.
This was not the girl’s first act of kindness. Jayda has received scholastic awards and volunteers regularly in the community.
“As an 11-year-old, she really is already a young adult,” said Maj. Giuseppe Stavale, the provost marshal for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
Jayda teared up as she accepted her check from Stavale.
Stavale said that he really wanted to highlight and promote Jayda’s incident because of the fact that she did the right thing without looking for any recognition.
During the Good Samaritan Program, station members were encouraged to submit the names of youth ages 10-17 who reported, prevented or stopped an unsafe or unlawful act.
The program was strictly anonymous and gave the station members a chance to encourage children to be good citizens, rewarding them for doing their part to improve the community.
“We only got one nomination, but we are claiming the program a success,” said Stavale.
Next month is Crime Prevention Month. PMO will be giving everyone another chance to nominate children around the station for their good deeds.
Submit all nominations to the Crime Prevention Section during normal working hours. After hours, submit nominations to the PMO Desk Sergeant, Building 608.