KMCC Exchange Brings Cheer, Smiles to Military Kids During Purple Up Drive-Up Celebration
April is the Month of the Military Child, and the Exchange is celebrating the courage, resiliency and service of our youngest heroes. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Exchange moved the celebration mostly online with virtual activities.
Despite the pandemic, Kaiserslautern Military Community Center Exchange associates celebrated military kids in a safe, sanitized and secure way with a two-day Purple Up drive-up event April 15 through 16 at Ramstein Air Base.
Kaiserslautern Military Community Center Exchange associate Yvonne Murph hands out goody bags during a two-day Purple Up drive-up event April 15 and 16, in celebration of Month of the Military Child at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Taresha Hill)
“It’s tough being a military brat, and the Exchange didn’t want kids to miss out because of the pandemic,” said KMCC Exchange General Manager Jennifer Jordan. “The Month of the Military Child is all about getting to say ‘thank you’ for being the awesome and resilient military kids that they are.”
The KMCC Exchange team handed out more than 1,200 goody bags filled with candy, toys and coupons for free items from the local concessionaires.
“We had great support from our concessions,” said Exchange Services Business Manager Lani Chandler. “We received many a ‘thank you’ from parents and kids during the event and on our Facebook page.”
Col. Scott McFarland, commander of the Exchange’s Europe/Southwest Asia Region, praised the KMCC Exchange team for hosting the two-day event to make sure no one was left out.
Kaiserslautern Military Community Center Exchange associates celebrated Month of the Military Child while observing COVID-19 safety precautions during the two-day Purple Up drive-up event at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Taresha Hill)
“One school was off, while the other was in session,” McFarland said. “The team wanted to ensure everyone had the chance to stop by, so they made it happen—as they always do.”
For mother and Judge Advocate Officer Lt. Col. Airon Mothershed, assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, the drive-up was a much-needed break.
“This is awesome,” Mothershed said. “To have this, especially during the pandemic, really helps to bring some cheer to the children who have essentially been isolated for nearly a year.”
Mothershed said her 5-year-old son has been a great sport during the pandemic restrictions.
“He never complains and just goes with the flow,” Mothershed said. “It’s a testament to how resilient children are.”
Show us your Month of the Military Child celebrations. Send your photos to exchangepost@aafes.com and socialmedia@aafes.com so we can spread the word about the memories you made for military families.
