MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Service members and their families gathered together to partake in the festivities of the 17th annual Kids First Fair hosted by the Children, Youth and Teen Programs at Paige Fieldhouse parking lot here, April 28.
The fair highlighted military children and promoted positive parenting, family interaction, children’s safety, family fun and community spirit. More than five thousand service members and their families attended the event.
“April is the month of the military child and child abuse awareness month,” said Toni N. Telebar, director of childcare resource and referral for the family care department of Marine and Family Program. “This years’ theme is Salute to Children as we recognize the all children of service members.”
The fair kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Col. Eugene N. Apicella, deputy commander of Marine Corps Installations West, MCB Camp Pendleton, followed by the reorganization of a few sponsors offering their services and resources at the fair.
“There are about 80 sponsors’ set-up to show what is available to families and their children on and off base,” said Apicella. “They have a fine variety of healthy, productive events for the kids to be a part.”
Sponsors of the event included: USAA Pendleton Family Dental, Classic Chariots, Innovative Marketing Solutions, Giant RV, San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative Sierra Club San Diego Zoo and Institute for Conservation Research.
Several children were also recognized and awarded for placing in an art and essay contest depicting their military family and hero.
“Art and essay are our two events allowing the kids to do artwork illustrating ‘My Military Family’ and write an essay on ‘My Military Hero’ describing their hero and why they are (the kids’) hero,” said George B. Brown, executive director of Armed Services YMCA for Camp Pendleton. “We submit the drawings and essays both locally and nationally and are proud to recognize Ashley Verhasselt, a fourth grade student from Stuart Mesa Elementary School, for winning first place both locally and nationally for her artwork.”
“We are very appreciative of (Marine Corps Community Service) for allowing us to use the Kids First Fair for our presentation and recognition of the kids for their achievement,” he added.
Throughout the day, various performers presented skits and demonstrations for the service members and their families.
“We have a zoo here to show us some of their animals, a demonstration from Shorin Ryu Karate and a performance by Oceanside Dance Academy and the (United States Marine Corps) Dance Team,” said Telebar. “We also have an obstacle course, a bounce house and a rock climbing wall for the kids.”
Along with the performers, a raffle was held throughout the day offering prizes from gift baskets to gift certificates, said to Telebar.
“We expect to have about four to five thousand people come to the fair throughout the day,” said Telebar.
Booths set-up around the parking lot offered crafts, giveaways and resources about that organization located on base or in the surrounding community.
“It’s great to be able to get information and find out about the MCCS programs they have to offer, such as the swimming lessons for my kids,” said Gunnery Sgt. Pablo Gamez, a maintenance controller with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. “Seeing the demonstrations and spending time with the whole family is what we love about coming to events such as this.”
Telebar said the fair met its goal by saluting military children and providing information to service members and their families.
“I want to say thank you to all of our sponsors for coming out and providing information and resources to all the service members and their familes,” said Telebar. “It was a team effort to be able to make this happen and fun to interact and connect spouses with resources on and off base.”