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Show tQMES August 12, 2010 ¥W£D UP Picnic honors workers AbilityOne employees gather together BY MITCH SHAW Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau T T Tende11 \f\f Staley AIRMAN 1ST CU\SS MELISSA DEARSTONE/U.S. Air Force Rad Rockin participates in ah airsoft competitive event in which the Hil! Airsoft and Paintball Club participated July 31. Airsoft firearms use plastic pellets and lower shooting velocities than BB guns. Events that day involved some attack and defined operations and a night game was held to capture a flag. For more pictures from the day's event see page 11. fiiiitfi BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times correspondent L ast week, the Base Chapel transformed into a rain forest oasis during the evenings as it hosted its annual Vacation Bible School camp Aug. 2-6. The projected date for next year's VBS is Aug. 1 through Aug. 5. this year's VBS theme was "SonQuest Rainforest" and the newly renovated chapel, as well as the Chapel Annex, were decorated with tropical sets while children attended tropical-themed activities and classes. Open to children ages 3-14 years old and available to any family with base access, the Chapel Religious Education staff and volunteers offered songs, games, Bible stories, crafts and snacks each weeknight from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The free event culminated with a concert and family dinner Friday evening to allow the children to demonstrate choreographed songs they learned throughout the week. "It was cute," said Staff Sgt. Jeannie Liedtke, of the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, of the Friday night concert. Her 7-year-old son, DeSean, attended the weeknight events and according to his part-time caregiver, Connie Delamater of the 75th Force Support Squadron, the lessons resonated with him. "When we drove home from Thursday night's activity, DeSean pointed to the sunset and said, 'Look, it's God!' So the lessons got through to him," said Delamater. "The program teaches children about the importance of knowing God and having a relationship with Him," said Wing Chaplain (Lt. Col) Kenneth Crooks, 75th Air Base Wing. "It gives children a spiritual basis See BIBLE SCHOOL I page 10 T V says he's finally found a TODD CROMAR/U.S. Air Force home at Hill Air Lafe Nance (left) and Chris Sprankle are served at a picnic for Force Base. AbilityOne employees who work for Hill Air Force Base on Staley is one Aug. 6. From right to left, Joy Dupin of the Ogden Air Logistics of 148 Top of Utah Center, Silvia Ortiz of NISH Pacific West, Desiree Huven of the residents who OO-ALC, and Hameena Lowe of OO-ALC dish up food at the are either blind picnic. or suffer from a severe disability and are employed at Hill through the which is longer than I've ever worked AbilityOne program. anywhere," he said. "I would have a bunch of minimumwage jobs, like AbilityOne is a federal initiative and the nation's largest single provider washing dishes or something, and I of jobs for people who are blind or couldn't live off of that. If it weren't have other severe disabilities. for this job, I know I wouldn't have one right now." The 49-year-old Layton resident has a reading disability which causes Staley says some of the best things him to read at a second grade level. about his job are the benefits that come He's also been diagnosed with dyslexia along with it. Staley said he has health and bipolar disorder. care, a pension plan, and life insurance — things he wouldn't have been able to "I would have panic attacks, seizures. It can be tough," he said. "I'm get elsewhere. seeing a counselor and that's helped a "I'm going to stay here as long as lot. I've been able to learn how to keep I can," he said. "Hopefully I can retire things under control." here. It's been a blessing." Staley was among many AbilityKaren Humphreys, a 61-year-old One employees honored Friday at the Ogden resident, also works on base picnic at the base's Centennial Park. through the program. She was diagnosed with retiniStaley worked as a custodian at Hill for 10 years now because of the tis pigmentosa 21 years ago. The program, he says. See PICNIC I page 14 "I've worked here for 10 years, At left, parents watch as children sing and dance on the stage of the Base Chapel's main congregation during a concert held there Aug. 6 as part of the Vacation Bible School activities. % Below, preschool age participants of the Base Chapel's VBS concert, held in the main congregation area, sing and dance for the audience. LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times correspondent |