Join the ASYMCA and MOAA to celebrate the reopening of the Military
Welcome Center
City, State: Lawton, Oklahoma
Date: 4 Sept 20
After being closed for more than 5 months due to COVID, the Armed
Services YMCA, in partnership with MOAA Auxiliary and MOAA, is proud to
announce the grand reopening of the Military Welcome Center located in the
Lawton Airport.
With the arrival of COVID in March, the Armed Services YMCA was forced to
pause all programming to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and
participants. The staff and volunteers of the ASYMCA are proud to announce
the Military Welcome Center is reopening. Join the celebration on Tuesday,
September 8 at 2:45 pm in the Lawton Airport.
The Military Welcome Center opened in April 2011 through the joint efforts
of the MOAA, MOAA Auxiliary, and the Armed Services YMCA. Understanding
the importance for service members and military families to have a quiet,
safe place to wait for flights, the group of volunteers worked to see their
dream to fruition. In 2017, the Military Welcome Center joined the Armed
Services YMCA of Oklahoma, becoming a core program to the Lawton
Community.
“The reopening of the Military Welcome Center puts a huge smile on my
face! From the very beginning, many volunteers have worked diligently to
establish and maintain the MWC for traveling military personnel and their
families. Most volunteers have close ties to the military from personal
service or family members who served; therefore, they are dedicated to
offering whatever services possible to assist those travelers. Not being able
to do this due to COVID-19 has been difficult and we are thrilled to be
reopening.” Becky Pazoureck, Chair, MWC Committee
The Military Welcome Center is one of the first programs to reopen. The
Hero’s Closet, formerly known as the Soldier’s Pantry, will open mid-
September. The staff is working to launch a series of virtual programming
and support services by the end of the month. For a full list of all programs
and their open dates, please see our website and social media pages.
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to support our military. Being
able to serve those who dedicate their lives to protect our freedoms is a true
honor. Through the revitalization of our programs and our ongoing
community assessment, all branches in Oklahoma will be offering the
programs service members want in the manner they want. We are very
excited to be leading these incredible changes to better support our
military.”
The Armed Services YMCA is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit currently serving
military members and their families. In 2019, more than 250,000
participants participated in programs. The ASYMCA delivered more than 1.3
million points of service to junior enlisted Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen,
Coast Guardsmen, and family members at 200 service centers in 18 states.
Whether summer camps for kids or assisting with emergency needs, the
Armed Services YMCA is a nonprofit with a mission: Strengthening Our
Military Family®. Visit our website to see how you can join us in supporting
military families.
Contact information:
Sara Orellana-Paape, MS, MPH, Executive Director, spaape@asymca.org...
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