Volume 3, Issue 8

12 August 08

Compiled & Edited by:

Leslie Gray

Serving 6,000 active-duty junior-enlisted

military service members and their families
each month with over 40 free programs!

July was another exciting month here at

the ASY with multiple events at the
hospital, the first of our 3 YES trips, a
backpack giveaway and looking forward
to what this fall has to offer! As always,
we thank our community partners for all SAP America and Volunteer San Diego hosted
of their ongoing support of San Diego’s this year’s ASY Operation Backpack giveaway.
military families. More inside!

YES at YMCA Camp Surf - 07.31.08

For our first Youth Enrichment in
the Summer (YES) Program
outing, the Youth & Community
Outreach staff and
volunteers spent the day
with counselors from
Camp Surf in Imperial
Beach teaching the kids
how to surf. Some got
the hang of it faster than
others, but a good time
was had by all!
Check out next
month’s issue for
the other YES
Program trips!
 Page 2

Naval Medical Center

NMC Volunteer Spotlight: Elizabeth Washburn

Bringing Art to the Frontlines
Elizabeth Washburn has been volunteering for the ASYMCA for less than a
year, but the results of her volunteer efforts have already made a colorful lasting
impression—literally! Elizabeth, a San Diego art instructor and accomplished
freelance artist, has focused much of her time and expertise helping students
throughout San Diego create art projects to give back to the community. Elizabeth’s
art participants come from all walks of life and
include: at risk teens, children, college students,
and most recently active duty patients recovering at
Naval Medical Center.
So far, Elizabeth has facilitated two big
projects through the ASYMCA: the first workshop began in January and consisted of an
8 week class to create a collaborative 8 foot long mural for the Art Miles Murals Project
(www.artmiles.org ). The second class: a one day Art Workshop where patients made
individual “Memory Mosaics”, in honor of those they have loved or lost overseas. There
are 10 individual portraits in all, as unique, colorful, and personal as the patients’ own
perspective and memories.
The mural and portraits will be on display at the Liberty Center through the
month of August. Elizabeth not only brings her knowledge and art supplies to these therapeutic workshops, but also a
chance for patients to learn something new about art and themselves: whether it be a newly found talent, or a healthy
outlet to express their thoughts and feelings.

Hospital Happenings
For the month of July, there have been numerous events for patients here at NMCSD. Some
of the larger events include the Soul Food Dinner and our ongoing weekly yacht cruise. The
Soul Food Dinner was sponsored by "Naomi's Daughters", a church group for young girls.
They served homemade Soul Food to the patients in Medical Hold. The group was lead by
Kirra Fields and her husband Jerrod, who was an inspiration to many as he told of his
experience in Iraq. As an Army soldier, he lost his leg to an IED blast in February of 2005.
Since then, he has married, has two daughters, and now trains with the US Paralympics'
Track and Field team. His next goal is to become the
first amputee in the NBA and he accredits all of his
success and glory to Jesus.

We also continue with our weekly summer event, the

Yacht Club dinner cruise. It has been a huge success and entertained more than a
hundred active duty personnel. The San Diego Yacht Club and their members show
their military appreciation with a cruise around the harbor, followed by wonderful
food, great company, and live music. The month of August is already quite busy at
NMCSD, with exciting events such as Nascar Simulation rides, Luau BBQ, Motorcycle
viewing, and even a visit from the Ringling Bros Circus!
 Page 3

Operation Backpack 2008: SAP America & Volunteer San Diego

This year, SAP America and Volunteer San Diego
sponsored our 2008 Operation Backpack giveaway
for military children. Volunteers from both
organizations took the afternoon to pack 200
backpacks with an assortment of school supplies.
The ASY then held an online raffle for military
families E7 and below. Children and parents alike
were thrilled with the event! Thank you SAP
America and Volunteer San Diego for supporting
our military families!

August
14th - YES Program to Knott’s Soak City
Family Outreach 15th - ASY Strategic Planning Retreat @ Orleck
16th - Operation Backpack by Waste Management
The ASY’s 2008 Holiday Toy Program 22nd - Computers 2 SD Kids Giveaway
is Coming! 26th - KUSI Shopping Spree
29th - Giant Used Car Tent Sale @ Qualcomm

September
We are seeking event volunteers, monetary and toy
12th - 3rd All Decked Out Fashion Show @ YachtFest
donations and groups to adopt-a-family for our 12th - Ombudsman/Key Volunteer Luncheon
annual holiday outreach program serving registered 19th - KUSI Shopping Spree
military families ranking E-5 and below. If your 26th - Computers 2 SD Kids Giveaway
organization would like to contribute, please call the
Kirstie Pfeifer in the Family Outreach Department at
858-751-5755 x 117 October
3rd - Miramar Air Show
Families selected to participate in the Holiday Toy 17th - KUSI Shopping Spree
Program will be 17th - Giant Used Car Tent Sale @ Qualcomm
able to shop for
two new toys per
24th - Computers 2 SD Kids Giveaway
child and will
receive a $50
Commissary
grocery gift
certificate on
December 17th.
 Page 4

Thank you for your support…

Corporate Partner Members:

Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.
North Island Credit Union
USA Federal Credit Union

Notable donors:
SAP America
Volunteer San Diego
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Warrior Foundation
Hotel-Motel Association
Atlas Hotel
Integrated Sports Marketing
KSON 97.3 FM
Live Nation
Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
House of Blues
AEG Live
FOCUS - Friends of Children United Society
American Sewing Guild - San Diego Chapter
Avant Garde
From the Desk of Executive Director Paul Steffens:
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. Based on the pictures of the kids
participating in “Camp Surf” as part of our Youth Enrichment in the Summer (YES)
Program, it is obvious they are enjoying theirs! We are very pleased to partner with
the YMCA of San Diego County to make this possible.
Providing recreation opportunities is but one way the ASYMCA assists military
families. We provide over 40 monthly programs and are continually seeking other
avenues to meet military family needs. While our efforts contribute to military family
readiness, we recognize we cannot do this alone and work in concert with numerous
service agencies.
On 29 July, we held our second Military Family Service Providers Conference.
This conference, kicked-off by RADM Len Hering, Commander Navy Southwest Region,
was held to discuss the draft report of the Military Family Support Summary and
Needs Assessment. This report is the result of a two year assessment, funded by
The California Endowment and conducted by The Marlin Alliance, of current military
family support programs and the need for additional programs or services. After being
briefed on the report, the attendees broke into focus groups and were challenged to
think outside the box for innovative solutions to emerging family issues. Innovative
they were—community-based farmer’s markets, increased access to childcare,
vouchers for community activities, shuttle buses to shopping centers and/or public
transit hubs, and “webinars” to disseminate information and allow family members
living far from a base to participate, and other innovative recommendations are now on
the table for evaluation and potential implementation. Over the next few months, we
will be considering these alternatives to move forward in
improving current programs and establishing additional
programs to enhance family readiness. For military family
members, we stand ready to assist you. For our contributors,
thank you for your unyielding support of military families!
Keep Chargin!
Paul

For more information on how YOU

can make a difference…

info@asymcasd.org
858.751.5755
www.militaryymca.com