Hickam CGOs, UH cadets team up to serve

Members of the Hickam Company Grade Officers Council from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and cadets from the University of Hawaii Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, organize storage units Jan. 12 at the Judd Hill Ronald McDonald House in Manoa. The officers and cadets worked side-by-side to clean and tidy the main living areas of the house, with a particular focus on cleaning and organizing the house’s two supply sheds. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Ty Axson)

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Hickam CGOs, UH cadets team up to serve

Members of the Hickam Company Grade Officers Council from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and cadets from the University of Hawaii Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, clean up cardboard boxes Jan. 12 at the Judd Hill Ronald McDonald House in Manoa. Since its inception in 1987, the house has provided shelter for nearly ten-thousand families with ill children from islands throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Ty Axson)

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Hickam CGOs, UH cadets team up to serve

Published Jan. 18, 2013
By 1st Lt Ty S. Axson

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Members of the Hickam Company Grade Officers Council and cadets from University of Hawaii Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps took some time out of their weekend to volunteer at the Judd Hill Ronald McDonald House to support families of ill children.

The officers and cadets worked side by side to clean the main living areas, kitchen and dining room and children's play area. Most of the effort was geared toward cleaning out and organizing the charity's two massive supply sheds.

"Our volunteers are the backbone of this entire organization," said Elvira Ajanovic, weekend relief manager for the Judd Hill House in Manoa. "Without them I don't think we could be the organization we are."

Capt. Kristopher Figueroa, 735 AMS, spearheaded the event. "It's extremely humbling to see such an outpouring of support for the community from like-minded and service-driven military brothers and sisters," Figueroa remarked. "The work of the volunteers was meaningful to the families of children undergoing critical medical treatment."

Figueroa was equally inspired by the response of the 20 ROTC cadets who showed up to lend a helping hand. "It was like being in an instant family setting. We worked extremely well together; we all wanted to get the job done and to do it well."

The cadets were led by Capt. Edward Mantanona, operations flight commander for UH AFROTC Det 175 and Hickam CGOC member who said it is important for cadets to spend time with the lieutenants and captains they one day aspire to be.

"It shows them the spirit of giving and sacrifice which is what being an officer is all about ... learning to give of yourself," said Mantanona.

Once the work was complete, the officers gathered the cadets around to offer advice and answer any questions the students had regarding the military and being an officer.

"These guys are volunteering their time to help those who are less fortunate than them," said Capt Mantanona. "They'll be future officers one day, and the fact they are seeing other officers who are in the military here shows them that this is the right thing to do."