Story and photo by Derek Gean
Community editor
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It was all smiles Friday night as Soldiers from the 35th Engineer Battalion and Marines from the Fort Leonard Wood Marine Detachment partnered with the PTO of Thayer Elementary to host a carnival for Thayer students and Families.

The 35th Eng. Bn. provides community service to the school through Partners in Education, or PIE. Since ENFORCE, the annual Army Engineer conference, fell during the same week of the carnival; the Marine Detachment was able to step up and help fill in the gaps.

“The 35th Engineers are always here for whatever we need them to do,” said Renee Hays, Thayer Elementary School principal.  “With ENFORCE, the Marines were able to step up and help us out,” she said.

“It is working wonderfully here tonight. You know it is one military and they are working together to support our event,” she said.

More than 60 Soldiers, Marines, parents, faculty and volunteers  took part, all to help raise money for the school’s outdoor classroom. Hays said the funds will be used to put guttering on the classroom and provide a drainage ditch, and the rest will be used for whatever needs arise in the next school term. The service members spent their time setting up games, selling tickets and working the games at the event. There were several traditional carnival games and the event even included a silent auction.

Chap. (Capt.) Bill Martin, 35th Engineer Battalion chaplain, said the 35th has really enjoyed working with the students and staff of Thayer.

“We have engendered a great relationship with Thayer Elementary School over this past school year,” Martin said. “Their dedication to education and commitment to children comes at the expense of hard work and intentional focus. From administration to faculty and staff, they model a team-minded pursuit of excellence.  Our Soldier-volunteers gain much more from serving Thayer than we can ever give back. Safe, child-centered, purpose-driven education makes Thayer more than a school; it is a
 community that we are privileged to serve,” he said.

One of those volunteers said he has gained a great deal from serving.

“Seeing the big smiles of the students and the appreciation of the teachers is very rewarding,” said Spc. Maurice Roberts, 35th Engineer Battalion. “The most satisfying thing is being a part of something greater than myself.”