Family Fun Day tradition continues

The Office of Military Affairs hosted an activity-filled event to support and thank local military families for their commitment

Lynchburg-area military families gathered on Liberty University’s campus to spend time with their loved ones during Military Family Fun Day, hosted by the Office of Military Affairs, at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre Saturday, March 22.

According to Ashley Eskridge, Liberty’s military outreach coordinator in the Office of Military Affairs, Liberty has hosted this event since the fall of 2011. The turnout for the event exceeded expectations then, so the Office of Military Affairs decided to make it an event that will take place each semester. The appreciation day for this semester had about 500 RSVPs, according to Eskridge.

thanks — Liberty continually supports military members in the Lynchburg area. Photo credit: Dale Carty II

Thanks — Liberty continually supports military members in the Lynchburg area. Photo credit: Dale Carty II

Apart from the fun and games, different organizations, such as the American Red Cross, were present to show their support and distribute information, Eskridge said.

Inside the lodge, the American Red Cross had a table set up for attendees to write notes to service members. Many families took the opportunity to express thoughtful words of gratitude to the troops and to encourage them as they continue in service.

Representatives from the center were also at the event. The representative for this organization was U.S. Navy veteran Jerry Britain, who spoke about how the support center works. The Military Support Center currently shares a small pantry with Hyland Heights Baptist Church that helps support military families in the Lynchburg area.

“Our support center recognizes that these families need help, especially when the government will not,” Britain said. “Our goal is to either build a national organization or to partner with Liberty University and have a Military Support Center built here.”

Liberty is known as an institution that takes great pride in being military friendly, according to the Office of Military Affairs website.

“An event like this allows us to meet our students and their families,” Eskridge said. “It’s a simple way for us to show our appreciation to them and their families.”
As military families left the event, the words “thank you” were heard throughout the lodge.

“Watching everyone have a great time is so rewarding,” Eskridge said.

For more information on how to support U.S. troops, visit Liberty’s Office of Military Affairs web page, email the Military Support Center at info@milfamily.org or contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337.

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