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Miami-DadeGivingtoThoseWhoHaveNothingBySgt.AustinGordilloPFCBruceW.CarterofMiami-DadeFLFor9yearsIhavebeenaproudmem-berofOperationChristmasChildanor-ganizationthatoperatesallyearrunen-tirelybyvolunteers.ThisorganizationisaChristianfaith-basedministry.Weconducteventsallyearlongtocol-lectitemstogointoshoeboxestobesenttoorphanedchildrenlivinginex-tremepovertyallovertheworld.Inad-ditiontobeingamemberofOperationChristmasChildIamveryactiveintheYoungMarinesofMiami-DadewhereIamaCorporal.BothoftheseorganizationsmotivatemetobethankfulforallthatIhaveandallthathasbeengiventome.OnSaturdayAugust242013therewasaneventhostedbytheGordillofamilycalledSurf-ingforSandals.Thepurposeofthiseventistocollectasmanysandalsaspossibleinoneday.TheYoungMarinesofMiami-Dadewereinchargeofrunningtheeventfromsetuptobreakdown.Thedayconsistedofcollectingdonatedsandals.Therewereavarietyofgamesforparticipantstoplayandasand-sculptingcontest.Ipersonal-lymentoredtheparticipantsofthetug-of-warcontestencouragingthemtoputalloftheireffortintothiseventandremindthemthatwinorloseeveryoneisawinnerbecauseyouparticipated.TheYoungMarinesofMiami-Dadealsomentoredthesand-sculptingcontestassistedincountingthedonatedsan-dalsandhelpedinallaspectsofthedaysevents.BeingamemberofboththeYoungMarinesofMiamiDadeandOperationChristmasChildisaveryrewardingandhumblingexperience.EachactivityIparticipateinishumblingandallowsmetheopportunitytorememberwhoIamaproudcitizenoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandaveryfortunateyoungmantobelivinginthiscountrywhereIamfreetobeapartoforganizationslikethese.ESPRITPage11AboveJustafewofthemanypairsofsandalscollectedduringtheSurngforSandalsevent.BelowYoungMarinesassistedinconductinggamescontestsandorganizationaldutiesandactivitiesthroughouttheday.