Nelson relinquishes responsibility as the CSM of the Georgia Army National Guard SDF teams up with Clark Howard to bring Christmas to Georgia’s Foster children Story by Spc. Ashley Fontenot Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense Photos by SDF Staff Sgt. Leonard Goodleman Public Affairs Office Georgia State Defense Force
MARIETTA, Ga., Dec. 9, 2012 – Members of the Georgia
State Defense Force (GSDF) and the Georgia National Guard volunteered this weekend to gather toy donations for Georgia’s foster children. The event was in support of the 22nd annual “Clark’s Christmas Kids” campaign, hosted by Atlanta radio and television personality Clark Howard. Every year, “Christmas Kids” partners with the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services to provide gifts for foster children across Georgia. As a member of the Georgia State Defense Force himself, Capt. Clark Howard encourages other service members to participate in running the toy drive. GSDF Pfc. Ashley Hames, Headquarters Recruiting and Retention, Georgia State Defense Force, says this is her
7 | The Georgia Guardsman
second year volunteering for “Christmas Kids.” “This cause really hits home for me and my family,” said Hames. “I was adopted from an orphanage in El Salvador when I was a child, and I feel so fulfilled to be helping these kids.” Gretchen Buzzell of Marietta was driving that morning when one foster child’s story brought her to tears. “I have four grandkids who always get the world for Christmas. So, when I heard on the radio about a child who was simply asking for a box of crayons, it broke my heart,” said Buzzell. “I had to come over right away to donate. When I did, I was just overwhelmed by the magnitude of the giving here today.” After the event, Howard said, “We want to thank everyone who came out in support of ‘Clark’s Christmas Kids’ this year! It was the 22nd year we joined together with the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services to provide gifts for children in foster care across Georgia. Because of their generosity, children all across the state are feeling the love. Together, we’re making a difference in their lives. So, I just want to thank all those who supported the effort!”