Page 48 - Best Chapter Spring 2017

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" 5 ' ' C I is ‘ .-7
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——— 7' - . 9 ‘ ‘:— 1 through the USO of Central and Southern Ohio,
‘ ‘ __ headquartered in Grove City, near Columbus.
a. Through donations and volunteers, the USO offers a
- ' __ long list of events and programs that are all designed
, _. "'6 " to assist military members and their families with
. ~ ' ‘ v ~-, financial and emotional needs as well as help build
“ “ " V 9 . . . . .
m . . . .. ‘.5.’ ' »..,-. _ a community in which these families can find
" .....u-' ‘»'f ' , g ‘ , hope, comfort, and other people who understand
. ' ‘ _‘ , the unique experience of being the loved ones of a
~ , _ , * ‘L militar member.
, .- _ 1“ I71 , I -~? 7' — y
51* _ There is no way to fully describe the sacrifice that
the brave members of the Armed Forces make to
7 .
" protect the country and every American. Many
|.,- military members explain their decision to serve as
' a “calling”—it’s much more than an occupation or
' , __ T if a career. It’s a commitment to an entire way of life,
. I and that commitment has a ripple effect that impacts
V ' "I . ... not only the individual, but everyone in his or her
' A ' V‘; l ' ‘ life, too. For many of the men and women who serve,
" L ‘ ‘€33 - ~ ~ ‘ (/ there is a wife, husband, or partner at home. Military
2... .- ' ‘—*' ' I ’ s ouses activel maintain and run households, raise
‘ P Y
‘ V’ - families, and make important decisions for their
" ' ‘ “V ‘ . - future, and they do this on their own, day in and day
‘ ’” out, while their loved one is deployed or stationed
_ ~ away from home.
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Wrapped up in all those duties is a challenge
7::-;‘:._ , , that only military families face: helping children
‘ - ’ K i understand what it means that their mom or dad is
~ i 1 .
H/.. \ Z I P,‘ away defending the country.
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l , '.‘ -' “For a lot of kids, even kids in big cities, they don’t
5 ‘ ‘ _ know any other children who are in the same
- I I ( situation as their family,” said Theresa Ferrari,
‘—‘ § ‘ i Associate Professor at the Ohio State University
v ‘ ‘ r and 4-H Youth Development Specialist. “It can be
/, , ‘_ -i , a really isolating feeling. Every kid handles stress
, ,4 ' . differently, and it can be a struggle for a family.
‘ _ ’ _ ;' A ~ , 5' '4 ' ' Children don’t always understand why mom or
' _ ‘ . dad is away and can’t help them with homework
' . . ' ._ ' _ l or take them to soccer practice. And the remaining
- r .
l__z ,, I J l - ’ '
Counselors are key to the camp experience, from the first handshake to a guiding
hand, whether it's celebrating new craft creations or going along for the ride.
48 BEST CI IAPTER