The Pikes Peak community is invited to join Team RWB-Colorado Springs and Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center for the Great American Christmas Ruck March supporting Toys for Tots, Saturday Dec 15 at noon. Bring a new, unwrapped toy (or more than one) and join the fun. Event starts in Bear Creek Park and leads to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
The event includes 4.8-mile and 2-mile routes. Supporters are also welcome to bring toys directly to the finish line at Mt. Carmel, 530 Communication Circle. No sign-up required. Questions: john.reyes@teamrwb.org
The Pikes Peak community is invited to Santa Fest today at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 9 am-3 pm. The event, hosted by The Van Ornam Home Team, features free photos with Santa, shopping and food from multiple vendors, music, give-aways, activities and fun for the whole family! 530 Communication Circle, Colorado Springs.
It’s more like the movie, “Scrooged,” than the Season of Giving in the Pikes Peak Region: 11-year-old Brendon, a cellist at West Middle School Orchestra, was robbed Monday.
The 6th-grader went out to the family car and discovered his cello was missing. “Someone stole his prized possession,” said Michele Williams, Brendon’s mother. “He is just devastated.”
Brendon is on the autism spectrum and music is his passion, said Michele. “When we attended the Back to School Music night two years ago, he thought he wanted to play the trumpet. But once he sat in front of a cello, he changed his mind. He settled in front of that instrument like it was made for him.”
Last Christmas, Brendon’s dad, a Navy and National Guard Veteran, bought Brenden his own cello. “I’ve never seen a bigger smile on Brendon’s face than when he brought that cello home to show me,” said Michele.
Brendon’s mom filed a police report with CSPD Tuesday but has been advised the odds of recovery are slim unless the thief attempts to pawn the classic instrument.
“That cello is still being paid for and our family is not in a position to buy another one,” said Michele, Hotel Eleganté Sales Manager. “It’s just really tough for Brendon.”
The family launched a, “Go Fund Me” page to replace Brendon’s Cello and Mt. Carmel is reaching out to the Military and Veteran community and their supporters in an effort to help make things right.
“This is a terrible thing to happen to any kid,” said Retired Army Col. Bob McLaughlin, Mt. Carmel Chief Operating Officer. “I believe in the power of the ‘Season of Giving’, and I believe in our Veteran community. Let’s help Brendon.”
Brendon’s Go Fund Me Page is: https://www.gofundme.com/help-replace-brendon039s-cello
Editor’s Note: Mt. Carmel has contact information for Brendon’s mother, Michele Williams, for expanded story coverage.
Mt. Carmel brings the blessings of Thanksgiving to 1,300 local Military, Veterans and Families with 1,200 Turkeys and 100 Thanksgiving baskets that include a Turkey and all the fixings. Operation TURKEYS FOR TROOPS is an annual Mt. Carmel event.
In partnership with Mt. Carmel case managers and peer navigators, local military installations, Guard and Reserve units, and community partners, recipients of the holiday bounty have been pre-identified.
“Mt. Carmel is very proud to help make this important American holiday special for our military, veterans and their families,” said Retired Army Col. Bob McLaughlin, Mt. Carmel Chief Operating Officer. “We’re grateful for the support of our community partners and sponsors who made this effort successful and we wish all military, veterans and their families a Happy Thanksgiving.”
Beyond Operation TURKEYS FOR TROOPS, Mt. Carmel and its partners provide pizzas and soda year-round to returning Soldiers at the Fort Carson Special Events Center regardless of the arrival time. Additionally, Mt. Carmel partners with base chaplains and local organizations supporting military widows and wounded warriors to provide food assistance vouchers and more, where there is a need, throughout the year.
Mt. Carmel’s Operation TURKEYS FOR TROOPS is made possible through the generous support of event sponsors including: Heuser & Heuser, Laurie Long, Phil Long Dealerships, Safeway, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Senior Benefit Reources, Tire World, The Church at Woodmoor, Used Car Dealers of Colorado, and Veterans United.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: News media are welcome to cover the distribution of the Turkeys and baskets from Mt. Carmel on Friday (Nov 16), noon to 3 p.m., as Chaplains and unit representatives from local military installations and others pick up the bulk of the Turkeys.